1986-12-11_PERMIT FILE - C1981017

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This document assesses the environmental effects that will result from the approval, approval with conditions, or disapproval of the mining plan, as modified. Mid-Continent Resources, Inc. has proposed to continue operating in five adjacent underground mines. The underground mining operation principally will utilize a combination of longwall and room-and-pillar mining methods. The Coal Basin (B bed) and Dutch Creek (Middle bed) coal seams will be mined at a production rate of approximately 800,000 to 1,300,000 tons per year. All mining and reclamation operations are scheduled to cease around the year 2023. Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division (MLRD) reviewed Mid-Continent's PAP in accordance with the Federal lands program, the approved Colorado State program, and the cooperative agreement. In coordination with Colorado MLRD's review, OSMRE reviewed the PAP, including the operation and reclamation plan portion of the permit application, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), the Federal lands program, and the cooperative agreement, and provided its review comments to the Colorado MLRD. In conjunction with a review of the mining plan modification OSMRE also reviewed the previously approved mining plan and the Federal permit number CO-0011 issued on July 29, 1983, for the Coal Basin mines. All terms and conditions of the Federal permit will be covered by the Colorado permit number C-0017-81 and the mining plan approval document. Because the Secretary of the Interior and the State of Colorado have entered into a cooperative agreement which provides for the full delegation to the State of the permitting responsibilities for operations on Federal lands pursuant to Section 523 of SMCRA, the Federal permit will be dissolved upon approval of this mining plan, as modified. On March 19, 1986, Colorado MLRD submitted to OSMRE a decision package containing the following: (1) a letter recommending approval of the mining plan; (2) SMCRA findings and supporting documentation for the State's approval with conditions of the revision to State permit number CO-017-81; (3) an amendment to the findings document; (4) a chronology of events relating to the processing of the PAP; and (5) the State's permit document. The amendment to the Findings document was prepared by Colorado MLRD, after review by OSMRE in draft form, in accordance with the cooperative agreement, to assist OSMRE in the preparation of this environmental assessment in compliance with NEPA and the guidelines of the Council on Environmental Quality. OSMRE has reviewed the amendment to the findings document, as well as the 1984 findings and compliance document and agrees with the analysis and conclusions; therefore, both documents are incorporated as an integral part of this environmental assessment. -2-