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Introduction <br />Chevron U. S. A. Inc. <br />Proposed Mine Stabilization <br />W/2 SW /4 of Section 5 and E/2 SE /4 of Section 6, T5S, R98W, 6th PM <br />Garfield County, Colorado <br />Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (`Chevron') is continuing to evaluate and characterize the Oil Shale <br />resource of the Green River Formation and is seeking approval to re -enter and conduct <br />work to stabilize the exterior face and interior surfaces of the existing Red Point Oil <br />Shale Mine in anticipation of future research opportunities. The Red Point Mine <br />provides a unique opportunity to obtain valuable rock mechanic and fracture data for use <br />in developing working models and refining planned processes for practical application on <br />the Chevron Oil Shale Research, Development and Demonstration (RDD) Federal Lease <br />in Rio Blanco County. <br />The Red Point Mine is located on Chevron -owned property in the W/2 SW /4 of Section 5 <br />and the E/2 SE /4 of Section 6, Township 5 South, Range 98 West, 6 Principal Meridian <br />in Garfield County, Colorado. The main mine portal is located on the shale cliff at the <br />head of the Clear Creek Canyon, approximately 30 miles north of DeBeque, Colorado at <br />an elevation of 7419 feet. The mine can be accessed by an existing ranch road that is <br />currently used primarily for transporting livestock to summer grazing lands and for <br />access to private hunting properties on the Mesa. This road would also provide access <br />from Chevron's Skinner Ridge Natural Gas Development in the valley to future oil and <br />gas exploration activities on the plateau. This road is maintained and accessible <br />approximately seven months of the year. See attached Vicinity Map /Site Plans. <br />The Red Point Mine, as it is known today, was formerly referred to as the Chevron Semi - <br />Works Mine and was closed in 1984 after being used for several years to supply feed <br />stock for Chevron's Staged Turbulent Bed oil shale refining process. Although the mine <br />has been inactive for approximately 27 years, it has been inspected by several mining <br />professionals and was determined to be in excellent condition requiring only minor <br />refurbishment and upgrades to make the mine safe for re- entry. Chevron is proposing to <br />scale the cliff face above the mine portal (remove any loose rock) and to install a rockfall <br />barrier and rockfall mesh drapery to stabilize the mine's exterior and to re -shore (replace <br />and /or add roof bolts and wire mesh) on the interior roof and walls to reduce and /or <br />eliminate any potential hazards associated with re -entry and future research activities. <br />Note: Chevron is currently working on the details of future research activities at the mine <br />and those plans would be submitted for approval under a separate modification to this <br />application when the details are finalized. <br />