2014-05-27_REVISION - C1982056 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Peabedq Twentymile Coal, LLC .:l J" Mr. Jason Musick Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 303.866.3567 X8134 29515 Routt County Road 27 Oak Creek, CO 80467 970.879.3800 May 21, 2014 Re: Minor Revision MR14 -277, WCR Supplemental Coreholes Disturbed Area Modification Dear Mr. Musick; With this submittal, Twentymile Coal, LLC (TC) is requesting CDRMS approval of a Minor Revision (MR14 -277) to our existing approved Mining and Reclamation Permit, for expansion of the permitted disturbance areas for coreholes previously permitted under MR14 -276. TC initiated the permitted and approved corehole drilling activities under MR14 -276, and encountered significant groundwater inflows to the drillholes in the Wadge Overburden. In order to handle the water volumes involved, TC needs to expand the permitted drill pads to accommodate additional water holding pits. The pits will be used to contain the additional groundwater return flows from the drillholes, with tanker trucks being used on a temporary basis to move the water from the holding pits to TC's existing mine /process water storage ponds. TC has obtained samples of the return flows for analysis (the water is generally clear), and is working with the Water Quality Control Division to permit direct discharge of the excess water to Fish Creek, on a temporary basis. TC has also contacted the Division of Water Resources to determine if there are any water rights issues associated with handling and discharge of the excess return flows. In order to accommodate the additional water holding pits, TC is requesting approval to expand the permitted drill pads up to 250 x 250 feet. Expansion of the pads to these limits will probably not be necessary in all cases, however, TC wants to ensure that all disturbance occurs within the permitted areas. As referenced in the Cultural Resource Survey Report submitted for MR14 -276, the cultural resource surveys included a 300 ft radius for those drill -sites which had not been previously surveyed. For all coreholes, the expanded disturbance areas will be kept within the limits of the cultural resource survey areas. Similar to the approved plans under MR14 -276, soil material stripping will be limited to an area around the drillhole collar, and the area surrounding any mud pits necessary to support drilling operations, in order to minimize disturbance and facilitate site reclamation. If additional site work is required to establish a level pad, any affected areas will be stripped and the soil material stockpiled for use in reclaiming the site. Wattles, sediment fence, and/or berms will be used to control site drainage and prevent off - site sediment transport, with drainage and sediment control for the associated disturbance being addressed as Small Area Exemptions (SAE'S). On completion of drilling and logging, all drillholes will be plugged and sealed in accordance with State Engineer requirements, and drill sites will be reclaimed. This submittal includes revised PAP text and supporting materials, as identified by the accompanying Summary of Revisions /Additions. In order to complete drilling before weather conditions become too adverse, TC would like to initiate the proposed activities as soon as possible, and therefore, requests