Laserfiche WebLink
MOUNTAIN COAL <br />'COMPANY <br />A Subsidiary of Arch Western Bituminous Group, LLC <br />October 4, 2011 <br />Mr. Dan Hemandez <br />Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />Office of Mined Land Reclamation <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 <br />Denver, Colorado 80203 <br />Re: Mountain Coal Company, LLC, West Elk Mine; Permit No. C- 1980 -007; Minor <br />Revision No. MR -381, Addition of MDW E3 -65 <br />Dear Mr. Hemandez: <br />Mountain Coal Company, LLC (MCC) submits this letter and application form for Minor Revision <br />No. MR -381 to add methane drainage well (MDW) E3 -65, including a new road and pad. As you <br />know, when MCC constructed the E3 -69 and E3 -73 MDWs (both located within the Forest Service <br />Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA)) using a helicopter for access, we were only able to install MDWs <br />that are less than half the size of a standard MDW. With a smaller diameter hole, we were aware <br />that we would not be able to vent the same volumes as from the larger diameter holes, but we were <br />willing to try. These holes were brought on -line a few weeks ago by plumbing pipe laid on the <br />ground surface to the off -site trailer mounted MDW pump. This method has not been successful in <br />venting the necessary volumes of methane from the mine. <br />Today MCC's MDW Project Engineer and Dan Gray of the Forest Service were able to inspect and <br />flag an acceptable road and pad for proposed MDW E3 -65 located approximately due east of <br />MDW E3 -63 currently being drilled (see the attached drawing). The 14' road will be approximately <br />1,100' in length (or about 1/3 acre) to the 0.8 acre MDW pad and are not within the IRA. The <br />directionally - drilled MDW will be approximately 1,100' in length. <br />I have met with Ryan Taylor of the Forest Service's (FS) Paonia Ranger District office to review this <br />project. The FS is currently processing their field review findings and will prepare and provide a <br />letter to the Division approving of the project as soon as possible. MCC needs to begin <br />construction of the road and pad within the next day so that drilling operations can begin by the end <br />of the week. As such, MCC would very much appreciate the Division's diligent review and approval <br />of this application so that the necessary ventilation can be established. Please contact me at (970) <br />929 -2238 or by e-mail should you have questions regarding this submittal. <br />Sincerely, <br />Kathleen G. Welt, <br />Environmental Engineer III <br />cc: Chris Nyikos — MCC <br />Ryan Taylor, FS <br />Joanne Williams — Gunnison Co. <br />it t6 �'L <br />a < y <br />West Elk Mine <br />P.O. Box 591 <br />5174 Highway 133 <br />Somerset, CO 81434 <br />(970) 929 -2200 <br />Fax (970) 929-5050 <br />& -h'lot.c Ito(' <br />