1983-09-01_PERMIT FILE - C1981017

Home Browse Search

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Mid-Continent Resources, Inc. Coal Basin Mines Carbondale, Colorado Mining and Reclamation Plan INTRODUCTION Mid-Continent Resources has been producing high cost, medium-volatile coking coal in the Coal Basin mines continuously since 1956. Coal Basin is located in southwestern Pitkin County, Colorado, approximately four miles west of the small town of Redstone, which in turn is 31 miles south of Glenwood Springs via state highways 82 and 133 (See General Location Map). All mine portals and surface facilities in the large amphitheater-like basin are located in Pitkin County and within the White River National Forest, while the underground workings extend to the west under Huntsman Ridge into Gunnison County and the Gunnison National Forest (See Specific Locator Map). Within a lease boundary area of over 10,000 acres, Mid-Continent operates the highest, and also the deepest, underground mines in North America. Mine portals are located at elevations above 10,000 feet and depths of the workings now extend to 3,000 feet. Mining conditions are difficult and adverse due to the 10 to 15 degree dip of the coal seams, the extreme depth of the seams, numerous geological faults throughout the area and the existence of large amounts of methane gas. Mining of the Coal Basin deposits began in 1895. The Colorado Fuel and Iron Co. extracted approximately 1 million tons of coal from 1900 to 1908. No mining was done in the following 48 years. Mid-Continent began mining in 1956 and has extracted over 13,500,000 tons of coal to date. Purpose and Need for Action Pursuant to 30 CFR 746.14, the Secretary of the Interior must approve, disapprove, or conditionally approve the proposed mining plan. Mid-Continent Resources, Inc. , on February 5, 1981, submitted an application for continued mining at the Coal Basin mines. This Environmental Assessment (EA) is being written to assist the public officials to make decisions that are based on an understanding of the environmental consequences. The Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Division (CMLRD) in accordance with an approved State-Federal Cooperative Agreement, has reviewed Mid-Continent Resources Inc. , Coal Basin Mines mining and reclamation permit application and has submitted a Technical Analysis (TA) document to the Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM). CMLRD has approved the permit application pursuant to the requirements of the State permanent program. -1-