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3.4 L. S. Wood Mine <br /> 3 . 5 Bear Creek Mine <br /> 3 . 6 Coal Basin Mine - <br /> 4. Mandatory Safety Standard. The Mandatory safety <br /> standard to which this petition for modification is directed is 30 <br /> C.F.R. S 75. 1711 which provides in pertinent part: <br /> 5 75.1711 Sealing of mines. <br /> [STATUTORY PROVISIONS] <br /> On or after march 30, 1970, the opening of any coal <br /> mine that is declared inactive by the operator, or is <br /> permanently closed, or abandoned for more than 90 days, <br /> shall be sealed by the operator in a manner prescribed by <br /> the Secretary. Openings of all other mines shall be <br /> adequately protected in a manner prescribed by the <br /> Secretary to prevent entrance by unauthorized persons. <br /> 5. Modification Sought. Mid-Continent seeks the following <br /> modification of the foregoing regulations standard: Because of the <br /> elevation of the several portals of the foregoing and the <br /> consequent winter and climatic conditions that the time for sealing <br /> be extended to and including 90-days following a date in the summer <br /> of 1993 after which the portals, and all of them, are fully <br /> accessible by personnel and all equipment necessary to seal such <br /> portals. <br /> 6. Reasons for Modification. In addition to the foregoing, <br /> the following justify a modification of the foregoing regulatory <br /> standard: <br /> 6. 1 Requiring sealing during the winter months will <br /> unnecessarily expose personnel to severe near-arctic conditions <br /> including, but not limited to, continuous subfreezing and frequent <br /> subzero temperatures, high winds and resultant chill factors and <br /> heavy snow conditions. The average snowfall at the District <br /> Office, approximately 2,000 feet lower in elevation than the mine <br /> portals, for the years 1970-1990 was 157 inches per year. <br /> 6.2 The mine portals are situate on the North face of <br /> Huntsman Ridge in Coal Basin at elevations of approximately 10,000 <br /> msl. In winter months the portals are inaccessible except via <br /> roads that begin at the former District Office/coal preparation <br /> plant area. Access to the District Office/coal preparation plant <br /> Mines Sealing S 75.1711 D R A F T <br /> MSHA Modification - 4 - 13-Nov-92 <br />