2012-06-08_REPORT - C1981012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

STATE OF COLORADO DIVISION OF RECLAMATION, MINING AND SAFETY Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman St., Room 215 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 866 -3567 FAX: (303) 832 -8106 June 8, 2012 Mr. Ron Thompson Mine Manager New Elk Coal Company LLC 122 West First Street Trinidad, CO 81082 Re: New Elk Mine, C1981 -012, 2011 Annual Reclamation Report Review Dear Mr. Thompson: COLORADO Q I V I S I O N O F RECLAMATION MINING SAFETY John W. Hickenlooper Governor Mike King Executive Director Loretta E. Pineda Director The Division has reviewed New Elk Coal Company's 2011 Annual Reclamation report, submitted February 8, 2012. The Division has identified the following three concerns with the 2011 Annual Reclamation Report for the New Elk Mine. 1. Review of the 2011 Annual Reclamation Report form shows NECC reporting that 35.14 acres have previously been Phase I bond released. Were any of the 2011 disturbances within the locations that had previously received Phase I bond release? If so, please remove the re- disturbed acreage from the Phase 1 released total. For example, if all 4.61 acres that are listed as "re- disturbed" in the cover letter table (Bates portal storage area, road to slurry wells, and slurry well pads) had been in areas that had received Phase 1 bond release, 35.14 acres -4.61 acres = 30.53 acres that have been bond released. Since the approved re- disturbance areas have been re- bonded, the Phase 1 released acreage needs to be adjusted accordingly. 2. Exhibit 29 of the New Elk permit states that the Annual Reclamation Report will be incorporated into Exhibit 29. There is no evidence that the Annual Reclamation reports have been incorporated into this exhibit. The Division was unable to locate any Rill and Gully Reports submitted to the Division. Exhibit 29 states that "maintenance work conducted during the year will be included in the annual report." Has NECC conducted Rill and Gully monitoring in accordance with the approved Rill and Gully plan? Please provide an annual rill and gully report to the Division for 2011, and discuss any maintenance or repairs conducted by the operator in accordance with Exhibit 29. 3. If any weed control efforts were conducted in 2011, please provide information regarding noxious species controlled, timing of control efforts, method of control (mechanical or chemical), what herbicide used, if any, and a sketch of the general areas control efforts were employed. Office of Office of Mined Land Reclamation Denver • Grand Junction • Durango Active and Inactive Mines