_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (301)

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STATE, OF COLORADO DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman St.,Roorn 215 Denver,Colorado 80203 tM1 I O N O F Phone:1303)866-3567 E RA L S FAX:(303)832-8106 & GEOLOGY May3, 1999 RECLAMATION MINING- SAFETY-Mr.Nathan Moore Permits Unit Bill Owens Governor Water Quality Protection Section Greg E Watcher Water Quality Control Division Executive Director Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Michael B.Long 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Division Director Denver,Colorado 80246-1530 Re: Coal Basin Mine Reclamation Dear Mr.Moore The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology(Division)is in the process of accomplishing reclamation at the former Coal Basin Mine. As you may know,this was a previously permitted coal mining operation. The Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board has revoked the operating permit and forfeited the reclamation bond. As required by statute, the Division is accomplishing reclamation of the site. Part of the required reclamation includes removal of the sediment containment ponds located at the site. These ponds are covered by a CDPS permit held by Mid-Continent Resources,the former operator of the Mine. A question has arisen about whether to change the reclamation plan as it pertains to the ponds,as described below,and about whether Mid-Continent should continue to remain as the CDPS permittee for the ponds. Accordingly,Minerals and Geology requests advice from Water Quality Control Division (WQCD)as to whether the change in pond reclamation measures would be acceptable to WQCD under a storm water permit. To be clear,this letter is not an application for a permit,but rather a request for guidance from WQCD about whether the following plan would be acceptable to WQCD under its storm water provisions. Rather than completely backfilling the ponds,as presently required by the reclamation plan,the Division has proposed that the corrugated metal pipe dewatering devices be removed,and that a rock lined spillways be constructed in the pond embankments. Wetlands species would be planted at the margins of the ponds. Reclamation in this manner will allow the ponds to continue to function as stilling basins, while promoting the creation of constructed wetlands at each location. The majority of the ponds would be reclaimed in 1999,while two may be reclaimed in 2000. The Division anticipates completing all reclamation activities in Coal Basin during the fall of 2000. We anticipate conducting maintenance operations for a limited time following completion of reclamation construction,depending on the availability of funds. At that time the Division will have completed its reclamation activities,and will then apply for permit termination. This proposed plan does not include or cover the 003 outfall at Mine 5,or the 016 outfall near the Rock Tunnel on land owned by Mid-Con Realty,LLC,both of which may receive mine water discharges. A tabulation of the ponds to be reclaimed in the manner described above is attached. The U. S.Forest Service, land management agency for the majority of Coal Basin,has endorsed this proposal, as have Mid-Con Realty,LLC, land owner of the privately held properties within the former permit area,and the Trustee for Mid-Continent Resources. Minerals and Geology is requesting advice from WQCD about whether a storm water permit, which would cover the remaining pond reclamation,as described above,would be acceptable to WQCD. Essentially,a permit would address reclamation of the ponds,as the contributing areas have already been,or will be,reclaimed. We propose that a number of best management practices be employed by the Division via its contractors during the reclamation process. These practices would include,but not be limited to,placement of straw bales and/or installation of silt fence below disturbed