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*Y' 11 •09 88 14:25 a 3303 945 8294 DELANEVE.BALCOMB 02 <br /> I have become increasingly concerned that the controversy between <br /> the Mine Safety and Heath Administration and Mid-Continent <br /> Resources has created an impasse which is not in the best <br /> interests of the safety ,.Dl" the miners. <br /> My goal is a safe and productive operation for Mid-Continent. <br /> The safety of the miners is of paramount importance. At the same <br /> time , Mid-Continent provides jobs which are of critical <br /> importance to the Western Colorado economy. The employees of <br /> Mid-Continent have the right to work safely. They also have the <br /> right to expect that their government and their employer will <br /> make the utmost effort to resolve any dispute that threatens <br /> their jobs. <br /> In the interests of a more constructive dialogue between both the <br /> company and the agency, I suggest a cooperative effort to develop / <br /> short and long term strategies to address the concerns of both <br /> the agency and the company. <br /> I suggest a task force to be made up of both company and MSHA <br /> officials, with input as necessary from pre-eminent experts in <br /> roof/rib control and ventilation. <br /> The purpose of the task force woul.-- bp to review, in a <br /> constructive manner, issues relating to mine plans. Where the <br /> task force determinz hat plan changes are necessary it is my <br /> hope that the task ii�_,ce could realistically anAlyze and develop <br /> short and long-term strategies for implementi those changes, <br /> based on the realistic assessment of necessary 6 and financial <br /> capabilities of the company. <br /> In QHdition, I would a:1k that MSHA give serious consideration to <br /> the company' s request to establish a resident inspector <br /> t Coal Basin. Mid-Continent has indicated to me that a <br /> stration is the lack of enforcement consistency. They <br /> .o way asking for a lessening of safety standards, nor <br /> rent vigilance. <br /> The cnimpsny has indicted to me that they feel a team of MSHA' s <br /> best- ectors, assigned full time to the Coal Basin operation <br /> : ow MSHA to effectively monitor all activities in the <br /> _d would be a far more effective enforcement presence by <br /> •°irtue of their better knowledge and understanding of the mine, <br /> the mining conditions, the objectives of the company, and the <br /> require,r ..ts of the plans. <br /> I woulra� nape your agency will have further discussions with Mid- <br /> Continent concerning this proposal. I suggest this might also be <br /> a subjecjt for consideration by the task force. <br /> It is my belief that the best interests of mid-Continen-c ' s miners <br />