2021-06-02_REVISION - C1980007 (8)

Home Browse Search

1313 Sherman St. Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 P (303) 866-3567 F (303) 832-8106 https://drms.colorado.gov Jared Polis, Governor | Dan Gibbs, Executive Director | Virginia Brannon, Director 1313 Sherman St. Room 215 Denver, CO 80203 June 2, 2021 Howard Strand Office of Surface Mining Western Region One Federal Center, Building 41 PO Box 25065 Denver, CO 80225 Re: West Elk Mine (Permit No. C-1980-007) Bond Release Application No. 12 (SL-12) Dear Mr. Strand: The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety has issued a proposed decision to approve Bond Release Application No. 12 at the West Elk Mine. This decision will become final at the close of the thirty (30) day public comment period, which commences the day following the initial publication in the Delta County Independent. A copy of the proposed decision and written findings is enclosed. With the approval of SL-12, Mountain Coal Company is released from Phase I reclamation liability on a total of 22.58 acres in the Dry Fork of the Minnesota Creek area, including the plugging and abandonment of 31 Mine Ventilation Boreholes (MVBs) on the E-4, -5 and -6 longwall panels, nine exploration drill holes (five of which were converted to MVBs) and nine monitoring wells; the backfilling and regrading of 26 drill pads, and the backfilling and regrading of seven associated road segments. The reclamation work was completed between 2016 and 2018. Since this mine is a federal mine, our decision is subject to the concurrence of OSM, and the signature of an authorized OSM representative is required for release of the bond. Therefore, the Division respectfully requests that OSM notify the Division of concurrence or nonconcurrence prior to the end of the public comment period, in accordance with the agreement dated June 30, 1997, Procedures for Cooperating State and Federal Agencies to Provide Mutual Concurrence on the Release of Performance Bonds from Federal Lands Coal Mining Operations. If you have questions or need of additional information, please contact me.