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TRI -STATE GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION ASSOCIATION, INC. <br />HEADQUARTERS: P.O. BOX 33695 DENVER, COLORADO 80233 -0695 303 - 452 -6111 <br />January 29, 2014 <br />RED i �v ED <br />Mr. David Berry va � 5 J014 <br />Director, Office of Colorado Division of Reclamation,cMining and Safety DI`n0 �F Rp SAFEV <br />1313 Sherman Street, Room 215 MINING <br />Denver, CO 81203 <br />Subject: Request for Additional Time for Rough Backfill and Grading at the New <br />Horizon Mine, Permit No. C- 1981 -008 <br />Dear Mr. Berry: <br />Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri- State), on behalf of the <br />Western Fuels- Colorado (WFC), A Limited Liability Company (Western Fuels), New Horizon <br />Mine, is requesting additional time to complete backfilling and grading beyond 180 days <br />following coal removal. Tri-State is the parent of Western Fuels. The New Horizon Mine <br />operated under Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (Division) Permit No. <br />C- 1981 -008 (Permit). <br />Attached with this letter is page 2.05.4(2)(d) -1 to replace the similar page of PR -08 of <br />Section 2.05.4(2)(d) Topsoil Handling, Stockpiling and Redistribution, 1.0 Introduction. This <br />revision addresses WFC's request for an extension to the 180 day requirement for completion of <br />backfilling and grading work by the end of 2014. For your convenience, a duplicate page with the <br />revised/added text highlighted is also attached. <br />WFC completed final coal removal from the New Horizon Mine on August 26, 2013. Per <br />Section 4.14.1(1)(c) of the Regulations of the Colorado Land Board for Coal Mining (Rules), <br />"Rough backfilling and grading shall be completed within 180 days following coal removal." The <br />Division may grant additional time for rough backfilling and grading if the permittee can <br />demonstrate, through a detailed written analysis under 2.05.4(2)(c), that additional time is <br />necessary." Western Fuels interprets that backfilling and grading is required to be completed 180 <br />days after August 26, 2013, or by February 22, 2014, unless an extension is granted by the <br />Division. <br />Because ongoing mining operations at the New Horizon North Mine are fully utilizing the <br />Western Fuels equipment and labor resources, engaging with external contractors will be required <br />to perform the final backfilling and grading and topsoil replacement obligations at the New <br />Horizon Mine. Western Fuels is currently developing a Scope of Work (SOW) for solicitation of <br />bids from contractors to perform reclamation work that will satisfy requirements of Permit Section <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER <br />A Touchstone Energy'Cooperative <br />CRAIG STATION ESCALANTE STATION NUCLA STATION <br />P.O. BOX 1307 P.O. BOX 577 P.O. BOX 698 <br />CRAIG, CO 81626 -1307 PREWITT, NM 87045 NUCLA, CO 81424 -0698 <br />970- 824 -4411 505 - 972 -5200 970 -864 -7316 <br />