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Request for Permit Termination; Coal Basin Sediment Pond Reclamation Stormwater Permit <br /> (COR-040208) <br /> The Coal Basin Mines were operated under a Mining Permit(C-81-017) issued to Mid- <br /> Continent Resources by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. Subsequent to <br /> permit issuance, the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board revoked the permit and <br /> forfeited the reclamation bond. The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology <br /> (Division) initiated reclamation operations at the site in 1995. Reclamation of the entire <br /> mine site was substantially completed in the fall of 2000. <br /> Reclamation of the entire Coal Basin Mine was accomplished as a series of smaller <br /> reclamation projects, each project targeting a specific portion of the larger disturbed area. <br /> The Division implemented various reclamation construction projects at the site through <br /> independent contractors. Completion of these projects was a necessary component of the <br /> reclamation process undertaken by the Division as required by the Colorado Surface Coal <br /> Mining Reclamation Act. <br /> The Coal Basin Sediment Pond Reclamation Stormwater Permit was issued after <br /> consultation between the Division of Minerals and Geology and Water Quality Control <br /> Division. It was agreed by the agencies that the issuance of a stormwater permit would <br /> facilitate reclamation of sediment retention ponds permitted through the NPDES process <br /> by the former operator of the Coal Basin Mine. Minerals and Geology submitted the <br /> Coal Basin Sediment Pond Reclamation Stormwater Permit application in August 1999. <br /> Water Quality Control Division approved the application in October 1999. Subsequently, <br /> the NPDES permit pertaining to the ponds reclaimed by Minerals and Geology was <br /> terminated. <br /> The subject stormwater permit was issued for very specific, well-defined disturbed areas <br /> at each of twelve former sediment retention ponds. These disturbed areas were confined <br /> to the area immediately surrounding the discharge structure at each pond, and the <br /> disturbances created when excavating each discharge structure. <br /> The stormwater permit was issued in order to protect receiving streams from sediment <br /> loading while reclamation of mining related sediment pond dewatering devices was being <br /> accomplished. Specifically, the permit contemplated the implementation of Best <br /> Management Practices at the location of corrugated metal pipe (CMP) dewatering <br /> devices at the twelve sediment ponds as the devices were removed from the ponds. A list <br /> of the affected ponds is attached. The NPDES outfall number associated with each pond <br /> is included with the list for ease of reference. <br /> Pond Reclamation Description <br /> The reclamation concept for the affected sediment ponds was to utilize these facilities to <br /> benefit the post-reclamation land use of wildlife habitat and non-motorized recreation. <br /> 2 <br />