2013-06-13_REVISION - C1981037 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Public Notice 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. 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 bond was a Letter of Credit. 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 Since the Permit was revoked and the bond was forfeited, the Division has conducted regular and periodic inspection to document the condition of the site.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. Written comments, objections, or requests for an informal conference may be submitted to the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, 1313 Sherman street, room 215, Denver, CO 80203, within 30 days of the last publication of this notice. taken down 6/13/2013