2012-07-10_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981041

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alignment of Coal Canyon and proposes to approve leaving Coal Canyon in its present alignment and configuration. This is described in more detail below with regard to Diversions and Conveyance of Overland Flow and Stream Channel Diversions. Completion of the remaining work in the North Mine reclaimed areas and along Coal Creek will be required prior to Phase 1 Bond Release for these locations. History The DeBeque Canyon area within and adjacent to the current permit area has been historically disturbed by coal mining activities since the late 1800's, and the Colorado River alluvial valley floor area which has been altered and affected by these operations has been "grandfathered" into the permit area. The Cameo Power Plant, which was a customer for coal from the Roadside Portals when the mine was operating, is located just south of the North Portal facilities, on the west side of the river. The Cameo Power Plant closed at the end of 2010 and is in the process of being dismantled. Underground mining operations using modem, mechanized methods began in 1974. Between 1974 and 1999, approximately 242 acres of surface lands were disturbed in conjunction with the operation. GEX Colorado, Inc. submitted the original permanent program permit application for the Roadside and Cameo Mines on February 17, 1981, pursuant to Section 34 -33 -109 of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act. On December 31, 1981, the Roadside and Cameo Mines were purchased by Powderhom Coal Company (PCC). Following the review process for the initial permanent program permit application, the Division issued a permit with stipulations on January 3, 1983. On November 9, 1984, Powderhorn Coal Company submitted plans for a permit revision to construct two new coal processing waste embankments to be located north (CRDA -2) and west (CRDA -3) of the existing Cameo Refuse Disposal Area (CRDA -1). This revision was approved on March 11, 1985. In October 1986, Powderhorn Coal Company notified the Division of temporary cessation of operations at the Roadside and Cameo Mines. In early 1987, Peabody Holding Company (Peabody) purchased the inactive Roadside and Cameo Mines. Peabody retained the Powderhom Coal Company name for the company. On April 20, 1989, Powderhorn Coal Company (PCC) notified the Division of its intent to emerge from temporary cessation status on May 1, 1989. The mine was active from that date, until December, 1999, producing up to 70,000 tons of clean coal per month. Up until November 1994, production was limited to the Roadside South Portal, but at that time the North Portal was reactivated, and coal was produced from both portals until early 1997, when all coal production was shifted to the North Portal. Due primarily to coal quality problems, mining ceased on December 2, 1999. By letter of December 13, 1999, the operator notified the Division that cessation of operations would extend beyond 30 days. A subsequent letter received by the Division on March 14, 2000, provided official notice that the cessation of operations was permanent, pursuant to Rule 4.30. Current official status of the operation is "Active ", due to on -going reclamation activity. There are no plans for future coal extraction at the operation. The original permit has been granted renewal for successive five year permit terms five times, the most recent renewal decision was finalized December 28, 2007, for a permit term extending through January 3, 2013. Three technical revisions and two minor revisions were submitted and processed since Midterm Permit Review No. 6 was issued, and two bond liability releases (SL -6 and SL -7) have been issued. All previous stipulations and conditions have been terminated or complied with and there are no new stipulations added with Permit Revision No. 5. The recent permitting actions are summarized below. Permit Revision No. 5 4 July 10, 2012