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Minnesota Canal & Reservoir Co. Inc. <br />41103 Lamborn Mesa Road <br />Paonla, Co. 81428 <br />RECEIi/ED <br />June 1, 2004 <br />JUN 0 42004 <br />Division of Minerals and Geology <br />Jim Burnell <br />Colorado Division of Minerals & Geology <br />1313 Sherman St., Room 215 <br />Denver, Co. <br />Re: Potential Impact to the Minnesota Reservoir and the Proposed Expansion of the West Elk <br />Coal Mine into the "E" Seam. <br />Deaz Mr. Burnell: <br />We the Board Members of the Minnesota Canal and Reservoir are concerned about the potential <br />impacts of the West Elk Mine's expansion into to the "E" Seam in close proximity to the <br />Minnesota Reservoir. The Monument Dam abuts a massive landslide with the possibility of <br />increased movement. We feel that additional studies need to be done to look at the effects of the <br />seismic activity which will result in the area due to subsidence of the mining areas and its effects <br />on the stability of the slopes for this dam structure. The shock wave that will result due to <br />subsidence may have a major effect on the landslide areas already existing. We would like to see <br />monitoring to show the effect of the shock waves, particularly how faz they travel from the <br />workings and the strength of these waves. If a monitoring program is set up by West Elk Mine, <br />we the Board would like to be involved prior to the finalization of their monitoring program. <br />Have other studies been conducted with regards to these concerns? <br />Mining will be occurring on the North, East and South sides of the reservoir. It appears from the <br />maps supplied by West Elk that the mining will take place at a distance of 700 ft to 1200 ft from <br />the Minnesota Reservoir. The overburden in these azeas, ranges from approximately 300 ft to <br />600 fr of cover. We have a concern for the direct effect on the reservoir and the watershed, and <br />proximity to the reservoir due to the shallow depth of mining, <br />