2012-09-21_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017

• Permit No: C1981017
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 9/21/2012
• Doc Name: Letter Regarding Coal Basin Mine Site
• From: DRMS, Division Director
• To: Scott Fitzwilliams - USFS
• Permit Index Doc Type: General Correspondence
• Email Name: DAB
• Email Name: SB1
• Email Name: SGR
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, Colorado 89203 C
C O L O R A D O
Phone: [phone] R
D[ V 1 S 1 0 N O F
FAX: [phone] M
MINING
S
SAFETY
John Hckenloaper
Mike King
Mr. Scott Fitzwilliams Executive Director
Forest Supervisor Loretta E. Pineda
White River National Forest Director
900 Grand Avenue
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81602
RE: Coal Basin Mines
Dear Mr. Fitzwilliams:
We understand through conversations with the Sopris District and with the Roaring Fork
Conservancy that the Forest wishes to undertake certain enhancements to the existing
reclamation at Coal Basin mine site. The Division applauds any efforts to enhance reclamation
of the site which more fully minimizes or eliminates sediment generation from mining related
facilities.
As you may know, the Coal Basin Mine was a series of five underground coal Haines and
associated facilities located on the flanks of Huntsman Ridge. The mine, which began in the
mid to late 1950's, was permitted as required by applicable law through the Colorado Division
of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (formerly Mined Land Reclamation Division) (Division) and
by the US Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(OSM) in the early 1980's. Production at the mine ceased in the early 1990's, and the operator
of the facility declared bankruptcy; leading to permit revocation and forfeiture of the $3 million
reclamation bond by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board. Following permit
revocation and bond forfeiture, the Division assumed responsibility to complete the approved
reclamation plan.
Prior to the bond forfeiture and permit revocation, the Forest Service in conjunction with the
Division and local environmental advocacy groups undertook to revise the required
reclamation plan with the intent of creating a more stable post reclamation landform at all
disturbed lands within the permit area. To this end, all of these parties created a reclamation
plan which was eventually adopted into the operating and reclamation permit for the site. It
was this plan that the Division undertook to complete following the company bankruptcy and
subsequent permit revocation and bond forfeiture.
As Forest records may indicate, the approved reclamation plan addressed the ultimate
disposition of the haul road system, reclamation of the refuse piles, and reclamation activities to
be undertaken at the mine entries and mine facilities areas. The Division fulfilled the
Office of
Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction - Durango Active and inactive Mines