_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 ‎(253)‎

• Permit No: C1981017
• IBM Index Class Name: GENERAL DOCUMENTS
• Doc Name: Bid Documents ‎(IMP)‎ 1994 Correspondence
• Permit Index Doc Type: General Correspondence
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources Pow,7'vik
1313 Sherman St.,Room 215
Denver,Colorado 80203
Phone:[phone]
FAX:[phone]
MEMO DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
November 22, 1994 RESOURCES
Roy Romer
TO: Michael Long Governor
James S Lochhead
FROM• Steven Renner Executive Director
Michael B Long
RE: Pond Cleaning, Coal Basin Mine Division Director
On November 21, 1994 we discussed concerns which I had regarding
the sediment ponds at the Coal Basin Mine. I am concerned about
the three 008 series ponds and the four 001 series ponds. My
specific concern was whether the Division should under take
cleaning of sediment from these ponds. I have observed that the
ponds appear to be functional, but remain concerned about the
ability of the ponds to pass run off this coming Spring without
contributing sediment to the stream systems. The immediate
question is whether or not a contract should be let to do pond
clean out.
This morning, I came across two memos from Mid-Continent Resources
to the Division regarding maintenance tasks at the mine. These
memos discuss maintenance performed by Mid-Continent during the
fall of 1993 and the winter of 1994 . One memo states that the
Sutey ponds were cleaned in the fall of 1993 , and that although
some sediment had accumulated in the upper 001 and 016 ponds, there
was still ample sediment capacity in each pond series. The ponds
at the portal areas were also reported to have adequate sediment
capacity. The second memo states that the warehouse ponds were
cleaned in March of 1993 and that cleaning of another pond below
the warehouse and one on the Old Refuse Pile had been accomplished.
The second correspondence does not mention the ponds by outfall
number, so I am somewhat unsure as to whether the ponds described
as the warehouse ponds are in fact the 008 series.
To balance my concerns, other Division personnel have reported that
the 008 ponds were cleaned as reported by Mid-Continent, and that
they should not pose a problem. It was also stated that the upper
pond in the 001 series frequently fills with sediment, but that the
capacity of the system as a whole is adequate to control
sedimentation.
I would suggest that the Division contact Mid-Continent and obtain
their input as to when the 001 and 008 ponds were last cleaned, and
as to what their observations of current sediment levels indicate.
As Mid-Continent has indicated in the above referenced memos, it is