PacifiCorp, as mine manager, with a street address as 1407 West North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, has filed with the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining an application for Phase II and III Bond Release for 3.70 acres of the Cottonwood/Wilberg Mine – Leach Field Area. The general location of this site is shown below.
Final reclamation of the Cottonwood/Wilberg mine was completed in the left and right forks of Grimes Wash and the rock and soil storage area in March of 2018. Phase I Bond Release for all disturbed areas outlined in the above table was approved by the Division of Oil Gas and Mining on May 7, 2019.
The Cottonwood/Wilberg Mine Leach Field Area is located adjacent to SR 57. The said area, located in NW1/4 of the NE1/4 of Section 34, Township 17 South, Range 7 East, SLB&M. The site was developed in 1978 to support the Wilberg Mine facilities. The Trail Mountain Mine facilities also used this leach field during its operatons while owned by PacifiCorp.
Reclamation of the site was conducted in early to mid-1990’s. Vegetation on this site has remained undisturbed since that time and has become capable of plant regeneration and succession. A two year vegetation survey for cover, density, production, and diversity was performed by a third party contractor during the fall of 2017 and 2018.. The results of these surveys shows that vegetation standards have exceed the approved success standards during the two growing seasons of the survey. The period of extended responsibility requirement has also been achieved.
PacifiCorp currently maintains a $977,232.00 surety bond payable to the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM). No reduction of this bond is being requested for the release of the site.
A copy of the Phase II and III Bond Release application may be examined at the office of the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, 1594 West North Temple, Suite 1210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5801 and also at the Recorders Office located in the Emery County Courthouse in Castle Dale, Utah. Written comments, objections, or requests for an informal conference may be submitted to the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining address above. Said comments must be submitted thirty (30) days from the date of the last publication of this notice.
This notice is being published to comply with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, and State and Federal regulations promulgated pursuant to said Act.
Published in the Emery County ETV News Progress for four consecutive weeks beginning March 18, 2020.