2012-08-15_REVISION - C1981041

• Permit No: C1981041
• IBM Index Class Name: REVISION
• Doc Date: 8/15/2012
• Doc Name: Final Decision letter
• From: DRMS
• To: J.E. Stover & Associates - Snowcap Coal Coal Company
• Type & Sequence: PR5
• Email Name: MPB
• Email Name: SB1
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 80203
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
August 15, 2012
Tonya K. Hammond
J. E. Stover & Associates
Snowcap Coal Company, Inc.
P. O. Box 1430
Palisade, CO 81526
Re: Roadside Portals Mine (Permit No. C -81 -041)
Permit Revision No. 5 (PR -5)
Final Decision
Dear Ms. Hammond:
STATE OF COLORADO
COLORADO
D I V I S I O N O F
RECLAMATION
MINING
- &-
SAFETY
John W. Hickenlooper
Governor
Mike King
Executive Director
Loretta E. Pineda
Director
On July 10, 2012 the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety issued our Proposed Decision to
approve Snowcap Coal Company's application for Permit Revision No. 5 (PR -5). The public
comment period applicable to the Proposed Decision began at 8:00 a.m. on July 13, 2012 when our
notice was first published in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. The comment period ended at 5:00
p.m. on August 12, 2012. We received no requests for a Formal Public Hearing during the public
comment period; therefore, our Decision has become final.
The reclamation cost estimate for the Roadside Portals was reevaluated and updated to reflect the
changes to the reclamation plan proposed in PR -5. The operator has eliminated plans to relocate a
section of Coal Gulch and a section of Coal Creek to their original channels, and will retain the
Cameo Mine East and West diversion ditches permanently. The liability prior to PR -5 was
$1,005,256.00. The revised reclamation liability will be $805,952.60, a decrease of $199,303.40.
The revised liability decrease is primarily due to: 1) Tasks associated with relocation of Coal Gulch
and Coal Creek were removed. Those tasks (172,173,174, and 175) total $58,222.00; 2) Task 79,
reclamation of the Cameo Mine East and West diversion ditches was removed, a decrease of
$502.00; and 3) Revegetation costs decreased significantly ($118,497.35) due to lower seed
acquisition costs. These features described above have not been bond released and are still under the
Division's jurisdiction. Liability for maintenance of these facilities remains in effect. Tasks are still
included in the cost estimate for this purpose.
The Division currently holds a surety bond in the amount of $1,005,256.00, which is greater than the
calculated liability amount of $805,952.60. The bond reduction amount of $199,303.40 is due solely
to revision of tasks and /or changes in unit costs. Therefore the permittee is eligible for a bond
reduction in the amount of $199,303.40.
Office of Office of
Mined Land Reclamation
Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines