_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 ‎(227)‎

• Permit No: C1981017
• IBM Index Class Name: GENERAL DOCUMENTS
• Doc Name: Bid Documents ‎(IMP)‎ 2000 Correspondence
• Permit Index Doc Type: General Correspondence
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

5TATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
of
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver,Colorado 80203 D I v I S I o N O F
Phone [phone] M IN ERA L S 11
FAX:[phone] &
GEOLOGY'
RECLAMATION
September 13, 2000 MINING-SAFETY
Bill Owens
Mr. David Holm Governor
Director Greg E.Walther
Water Quality Control Division Executive Director
Michael B Long
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Division Director
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, CO 80246-1530
RE: Coal Basin Mine/Mid-Continent Resources NPDES Permit Status
Dear :
As you are aware, the Division of Minerals and Geology (Division) is accomplishing
reclamation of the Coal Basin Mine. Reclamation is being conducted on both private and
public lands, and is principally financed from the proceeds of the Mid-Continent Resources
bankruptcy proceeding. Certain aspects of reclamation on privately held properties are
guided by a settlement agreement between the Division, Mid-Continent Resources and
other parties.
In conjunction with the settlement agreement, Minerals and Geology submitted and was
granted a stormwater permit for reclamation activities to be conducted at the majority of the
sediment ponds located at the Coal Basin Mine. In conjunction with our receiving the
stormwater permit, Mid-Continent Resources applied for a termination of its NPDES permit
for all ponds on the site, excepting those that accept mine water discharge. The only pond
system which receives continual mine water discharges is the 016 pond series. The 016
ponds are located on privately held properties. This pond system is included within the
scope of the reclamation activities being undertaken at Coal Basin by the Division, as
defined in the settlement agreement.
Given this background, the Division wanted to inform Water Quality about the condition of
the 016 pond system. It has been our observation over the past two years that the three
ponds within the 016 system, and the drainage which routes mine water discharges to
them, are, to a certain degree, deteriorating. It is likely that a failure of the any one of the
ponds will, at a minimum, discolor the Crystal River, and may impair aquatic recovery of the
Coal Creek drainage.
Ultimately, the geomorphic restoration and stability of Coal Basin would be enhanced by
eliminating the 016 ponds, and by routing the mine water discharge directly to Dutch Creek.
To this end, we encourage Water Quality Control Division to carefully evaluate within the
context of applicable law any request by Mid-Continent Resources to terminate the 016
pond NPDES permit, and to allow Mid-Continent to route the Rock Tunnel discharge to
Dutch Creek.