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NT OF ly <br />oP ^_._ F us. mrurw.rta nn rmno. <br />United States Department of the Interior <br />BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT <br />UNCOMPAHGRE FIELD OFFICE <br />2465 South Townsend <br />Montrose, CO 81401 <br />www.bim.gov/co/st/en/fo/ufo.html <br />In Reply <br />Refer to: COS05000, 3400 <br />AUG - 7 2013 <br />Christine Belka <br />Environmental Protection Specialist <br />Office of Surface Mining, Western Region <br />1999 Broadway, Suite 3320 <br />Denver, CO 80202 -3050 <br />RE: Proposed Decision of the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />(CDRMS) SL -04 Partial Phase II Bond Release at the West Elk Mine, PN C- 1980 -007 <br />Dear Ms. Belka: <br />In response to your email of July 30, 2013, my staff has reviewed your request for concurrence <br />to Phase II Bond Release for reclamation that was conducted between 1996 and 2008 by <br />Mountain Coal Company. The release includes 67.6 acres of completed reclamation related to <br />the Lone Pine Gulch facilities, the 2000 thermal event area, and methane drainage well pads and <br />roads from nine different drilling areas. <br />We have determined that the lands included in the bond release area were federally and privately <br />owned while the coal mined there was federally and privately owned. The federal lands covered <br />in the request are federal lands managed by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison <br />National Forest (GMUG). The Lone Pine Gulch mine fan facilities and all the drill holes and <br />related pads and roads, served their useful purpose as mine ventilation site facilities and are no <br />longer necessary since the entire coal resource has been mined out and that section of the mine <br />has been abandoned. In addition, the reclamation appears to be properly carried out as reported. <br />If the GMUG and private surface owners are satisfied with the reclamation completed, then the <br />BLM has no objection to the Phase II Bond release. <br />If you have any questions please contact Desty Dyer at 970 - 240 -5302. <br />Sincerel <br />Barbara Sharrow, <br />Field Office Manager <br />