REP48580

• Permit No: C1981044
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 11/9/1993
• Doc Name: SUBSIDENCE RECONNAISSANCE EAGLE 6 MINE PN C-81-044
• From: DMG
• To: JOHN RAFTOPOULOS
• Permit Index Doc Type: SUBSIDENCE REPORT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

r ``! III III IIIIII IIII III
STATE OF C:OLC~1~U0
DIVISION OF MINERALS AND GEOLOGY
Department of Natural Resources
1313 Sherman St., Room 215
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: [phone]
fAx:[phone]
November 9, 1993
Mr. John Raftopoulos
2991 Pineridge Drive
Craig, CO 81625
RE: Subsidence Reconnaissance, Eagle No. 6 Mine, Permit No. (:-81-044
Dear Mr Raftopoulos:
OF ~Q(0
4~' ~
ti~
~~~
• ~ rB i6 ~
Roy ROmer
Governor
Michael B. Long
Drvrsion Dnectar
This letter responds to your recent concerns with regard to subsidence at the
Eagle No. 6 Mine and our subsequent field inspection on your elffected land
surface. Due to a recent snowfall, detailed observations could not be
made. However, my observations are as follows:
- Evidence of subsidence caused cracks at the surface was; noted. The
exact location, extent, and magnitude of these cracks alas not
determined.
- One or more of these cracks may limit the surface watershed draining to
the stockpond located directly south of the ridge line. Amore
detailed review would need to be made to determine the validity of this
theory.
- Evidence of repairs conducted by Cyprus Empire Coal Co. was observed
along the road at the top of the ridge.
The Rules require the operator to restore the land to a condition capable of
supporting the foreseeable land uses. It is my understanding that
Cyprus Empire has been cooperative in dealing with your specific concerns and
my opinion is that they will continue to cooperate. The approved permit
states no material damage due to subsidence (i.e. no impacts that can't be
promptly repaired)
With regard to a loss of land value due to subsidence, it would probably take
damage beyond what has occurred so far to pursue damages in this area. (i.e.
ground cracking in excess of 2 feet wide, massive watershed disruption, etc.)
There is some potential for that to happen, but on a fairly limited scale, if
at all. If it were potential residential development, land values could be
affected but for rangeland one would not reasonably expected land values to
decline due to subsidence.
I also looked into the issue of Trappers' south side erosion control dams on
Ute, Elk, and Deer drainages. All of these ponds have a water capacity volume
of less than 2 acre-feet. As such, they do not require a water right to