2013-05-06_REVISION - C1981037 ‎(2)‎

• Permit No: C1981037
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Doc Date: 5/6/2013
• Doc Name: Notification Letters
• From: DRMS
• To: Landowners
• Type & Sequence: SL1
• Email Name: JHB
• Email Name: DIH
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

STATE OF COLORADO
DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
C O L O RA D O
D I V I S I O N o f
Denver, Colorado 80203
RECLAMATION
Phone: [phone]
M IN I NIN G
N
FAX: [phone]
SAFETY
May 6, 2013
John W. Hickenlooper
Governor
Christina Paredes
3480 Franklin Ave
Mike King
Executive Director
Astoria, OR 97103 -2618
Loretta E. Pineda
Director
Re: GEC Strip Mine (Permit No. C- 1981 -037)
Bond Release Application No. 1(SL -1)
Dear Sir or Madam:
The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety (Division) has begun the process of
terminating its jurisdiction over the reclaimed GEC coal mine. The mine site is located
approximately 12 miles southwest of the city of Florence in Fremont County. The disturbed and
reclaimed areas are located in portions of Sections 24 and 25, Township 20 South, Range 70
West of the 6th P.M. and portions of Sections 19 and 30, Township 20 South, Range 69 West of
the 6th P.M. The former permit area under consideration for termination of jurisdiction is
approximately 720 acres of which 183.9 acres were disturbed. The surface ownership is private,
and the coal mined was private. Our records indicate that you own property adjacent to the
former GEC Mine permit area.
The area has an extensive history of mining. The GEC Mine was originally permitted by GEC
Minerals (the operator) under interim permit No. 77 -48, issued November 3, 1980. On
December 12, 1982 the Division issued permanent program permit No. C- 1981 -037 to GEC
Minerals. The Mined Land Reclamation Board (the Board) revoked the GEC permit due to a
pattern of violations on February 23, 1984. As part of the settlement agreement, the Board did
not forfeit the GEC bond (of $534,000.00), however, GEC Minerals, Inc. was ordered to reclaim
all portions of the mine.
Shortly after the permit revocation, GEC Minerals, Inc. reclaimed the West Pit area and applied
for a Phase I Bond Release on December 9, 1985. The Division approved the partial Phase I
Bond Release on February 14, 1986. The approval of the partial Phase I Bond Release granted
release of $85,800.00, or 60% of the liability assigned to reclamation of the West Pit. GEC
Minerals, Inc. did not complete any more reclamation at the mine.
The Board forfeited the remaining reclamation bond on June 11, 1987. The Division contracted
the remaining reclamation work that was completed between 1993 and 1995. The reclamation
work conducted between 1993 and 1995 expended all available bond monies.
The Division received severance tax monies in 2000. The Division conducted some maintenance
projects at the site. At the request of the landowner, additional projects were halted. Since the
Permit was revoked and the bond was forfeited, the Division has conducted regular and periodic
inspection to document the condition of the site. As all available monies for the site have been
expended, no additional funds are available for maintenance at the GEC mine.
Office of Office of
Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines