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West Elk Mine <br />loadout. Subsequently, CDOT approved the siting of the loadout facilities and the CDRMS <br />granted the appropriate variance in accordance with Rule 2.07.6(2)(d)(iv). <br />In 1985, the CDOT relocated State Highway 133 to the south side of the North Fork of the <br />Gunnison River adjacent to the surface facilities of the West Elk Mine. Construction of the <br />mine's surface facilities was begun in 1981 and were existing at the time of CDOT's relocation of <br />State Highway 133. With CDOT's highway relocation project, the existing mine surface facilities <br />were caused to be within 100 feet of the highway, and as such, the mine was not required to seek <br />a variance for facilities within 100 feet of a highway. <br />Portions of the Lower Refuse Pile (LRP) are sited within 100 feet of the relocated State Highway <br />133. MCC applied to the CDOT for approval to conduct operations within 100 feet of the <br />highway. CDOT granted approval for operations within 100 feet of State Highway 133 on April <br />8, 1986. <br />In 1997, MCC constructed the Refuse Pile Expansion (RPE) area. The RPE and the associated <br />north soil storage area are within 100 feet of the CDOT right -of -way. MCC received an approval <br />letter from CDOT to locate operations within this area that is included in Exhibit 70, Appendix C. <br />Railroads <br />The West Elk Mine area is served by the Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP). A 6,000 -foot <br />long railroad siding and a small auxiliary siding, constructed within the right -of -way of the UP <br />railroad, serves the loadout facility (owned and controlled by UP). <br />Access Control <br />Access to the West Elk Mine is controlled with fencing and gates, including electronic security gates <br />at the main mine site entrance from State Highway 133 (SH 133). When closed, the gates at the main <br />mine site entrance can be activated to open with an electronic card reader. To exit the mine site when <br />the gates are closed, an electronic "exit loop" activates the gates. A security camera and telephone <br />were installed at the main mine site gate to monitor all traffic in and out of the site and for visitors to <br />contact the mine should the gates be closed and locked. Fencing and locked manual gates control <br />other entrances to other mine site areas, including Lone Pine Gulch, the North Soil Storage Area, and <br />the Refuse Pile Expansion. MCC's surface operations personnel typically travel various areas of the <br />mine site every day throughout the day to also provide access monitoring and security. Additional <br />security of the mine facility areas occurs as necessary. The rugged mountainous topography of and <br />surrounding the West Elk Mine site deters other access. <br />In addition to fences and security monitoring, signs are used to inform the public and regulatory <br />authorities of the mine operations within the permit area. Signs identifying the mine operations are <br />displayed at all points of access from public roads and highways. These signs show MCC's name, <br />business address, telephone number and identification number of MCC's current mining and <br />reclamation permit and other authorizations to operate. Topsoil stockpiles, subsoil stockpiles, and the <br />coal refuse pile areas are clearly marked with appropriate material identification signs. <br />2.05 -27 Ren 06105, 0006, 03106, 04106 & 05106- PRIG; 01109- MR350; 04109- TR116; 04109- MR353; 05109- MR354; 08109- TR118: <br />08109- TR119; 05110 & 08111- MR366 <br />