1983-09-01_PERMIT FILE - C1981017

• Permit No: C1981017
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/1/1983
• Doc Name: Mining and Reclamation Plan Approval Package
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

II. Background
The existing Coal Basin Mines are located in Pitkin County, Colorado. The
total lease boundary area encompasses 10,000 acres. The permit and mining
plan area is 7,220 acres and is broken down as follows: 3,063 acres of
Federal land and coal, 3,290 acres of private land and coal, 709 acres of
private non-coal affected land, and 160 acres of Federal non-coal affected
special use land. Of the above, 413 acres are utilized by surface
facilities. The mines were operating prior to the Surface Mining Control
and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), consequently no topsoil was salvaged
on most of the disturbed areas. 'As a result of these pre-existing mines,
the CMLRD has had to issue a number of variances. OSM has reviewed and
has approved these variances. These variances are:
1) Company requested a small area exemption from constructing a sediment
pond on the southeast side of the inactive #4 bench. CMLRD granted
this exemption on the following conditions: a) only applies as long
as Mine #4 is inactive, b) the disturbed drainage area is small, c)
the mine bench is largely composed of course rock material, and d)
there is no mention of mine discharge with surface drainage. (see
page 16 of TA)
2) Company requested small area exemptions also from constructing
sediment ponds on: a) the Mine #3 upper coal storage bin pad (0.12
acres), b) the Mine #4 lower coal storage bin pad (0.44 acres), and
c) Mine #1 powder magazine, Mine #4 powder magazine and the rock
tunnel powder magazine (all less than 0.1 acres). CMLRD granted
small area exemptions on these areas because they are small and there
is no mixture of surface drainage from surface area. (see page 16 of
TA)
3) There are several disturbed areas within the Coal Basin permit that
are within the 100 foot buffer zone of Dutch Creek and Coal Creek:
The existing rock tunnel disturbance, portions of travel roads A, B
and D and disturbance at the preparation plant are within 100 feet of
Dutch Creek. The preparation plant is also within 100 feet of Coal
Creek. With the exception of the rock tunnel disturbance, all
disturbance within 100 feet of Dutch Creek and Coal Creek was in
place prior to the enactment of SMCRA. Based upon the above facts,
CMLRD granted a variance from the 100 foot buffer requirement. (see
page 22 of TA)
4) Mid Continent requested permission to monitor the subsidence network
three times each summer. Quarterly monitoring, as required normally,
is precluded in Coal Basin by rugged terrain, deep snowpack and
extremely harsh winter weather conditions. CMLRD, after inspections
regarding this concern, agrees and granted the variance.