2013-10-07_REVISION - C1981025 (8)

Home Browse Search

IV. Coal Mine Waste Banks A. The Division is proposing to approve plans for use, construction and maintenance of a coal mine waste disposal area (Rule 4.10.1(1)). B. The applicant has submitted a plan for disposal, at the approved disposal area within the permit boundary, of mine waste materials generated by activities outside the permit boundary. These materials include waste piles at abandoned mines or other mines. The applicant has demonstrated that disposal of such materials will not adversely affect water quality or flow, vegetation, public health, or stability of the disposal area based on hydrologic, geotechnical, physical, and chemical analyses. Therefore, the Division approved of disposal of these materials (4.10.1(2)). C. The disposal area has been closed and reclaimed. During operations and reclamation, a qualified professional specialist under the direction of the professional engineer inspected it on a regular basis. The inspector was experienced in construction of similar earth and waste structures. Inspection by this person was approved by the Division as appropriate [Rule 4.10.2(1)]. D. An alternative subdrainage system for the coal mine waste area was proposed and approved. The Division found that the alternative would ensure the applicable static safety factor, stability of the fill, and protection of the surface and ground water [Rule 4.10.3(5)]. A naturally occurring subdrainage system at the coal mine waste area is described in a report by Chen & Associates, which is presented in Appendix 4-C of the permit application package. The design of the refuse pile provides a long-term static safety factor of 1.8 and a seismic safety factor of 1.5. These factors are based on geotechnical testing and engineering analysis as detailed in the Chen report. E. The applicant submitted certifications, and the Division field-verified, that there is four feet of cover on the coal processing waste bank [Rule 4.10.4(5)]. V. Revegetation Revegetation information is found in Section 4.4.2.3-Revegetation Plan of the permit, inclusive of pages 4-54 through 4-65. All disturbed areas of the Permit, other than the permanent Developed Water Resources area and the area of four reclaimed water monitoring flumes, have been reclaimed and Phase III Bond Release approved. The Division approved the inclusion of several introduced species in the seed mix. These species include: Russian wildrye (Elymus junceus), Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer), and Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata). None are considered poisonous or noxious. Four different seed mixes were approved. Seed Mix No. 1 was developed for use on south-facing slopes and harsh locations, like the dry, exposed Mancos Shale areas. Seed Mix No.2 utilized species 20