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03/2'r~'97 X1:36 ID:Steve H~~^hman -WSERC FRl(:970-527-53 <br />~lll IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII :. „ <br />March 28, 1997 <br />David. Berry .. .. <br />Senior ,Environmental Protection Specialist ... <br />Colorado Division of Minerals.. snd. Geology <br />1313 Sherman St.: Rm. 215 <br />Denver, CO 80203 ~ ' <br />By Fax: 303/832-81Ob. ~. <br />Dear Mr: Berry <br />This letter constitiites the comments of the Western Slope Environmental Resource . <br />Council (WSERC) regarding .the proposed Bowie #2. Mine just• east of Paonia, Colo. <br />WSERC is a grassroots, non-profit.. conservation group dedicated to preserving the <br />environment and quality. of .life in' Delta County and the Western Slope. We originally <br />formed in. 1977 as the Western Slope Energy Reseazch. Center . to .work on coal mine <br />issues in the North .Fork Valley: Today . we have over 200 mertcbers and a broader <br />mission, but we are still deeply .concerned about coal mining's social, .economic and <br />environmental impacts. <br />The mine proposal -, between 250;000 ~t6 2 million tons of production per year - <br />represents a significant .development for this area. Related to the Division's <br />jurisdiction, otir primary concerns with the .proposed Bowie #2 Mine are regarding the <br />mint sites unstable slopes; .potential impacts to wafer .duality; potential .air .quality <br />impacts. due to mine activities and hauling; traffic, noise, safety concerns; and :. <br />potential. impacts to' local residents, irrigation facilities,. and highway infrastructure, <br />:4 modern mine at •this site will be quite an engineering feet `given the steep slopes, <br />sail stability and .degree of .activity planned. Issues of ooncern. related to this include .. <br />transporting coal. from the .portal to the highway ]oadout, .and creep and landslide <br />threats to the mine infrastructure,' the highway and railroad, local residents and to.. <br />the Fire Mountain Ditch. If .and _when there is movement on the mine .si e, conditions <br />. are severe enough that is will most likely be impossible to ,restore the damage. Even if <br />no .problems •occur, we foresee that it will be extremely difficult to restore and <br />revegetate .the site's' steep, south facing; slopes.. <br />Given the hazards, we recommend that the .Division increase boading r;.quirements to. <br />$b million at a miitimtim.. Local history -the problems at.:the. Hawk's Nest Mine and . <br />P.O. Soz 1612, Paoafa, Co1o,.B1428 Phoae do 1-az tti70) 627-6907 W6ERC®tnCozone.org. <br />