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October 2012 <br />4.0 MITIGATIVE MEASURES <br />Page 4 -1 <br />Various designs of mine operations and facilities have been incorporated to minimize <br />disturbance of area hydrologic functions at the New Elk Mine. <br />A survey of all water users of both surface and groundwater has been made and an <br />assessment of potential impacts completed. This information is contained in the mine permit <br />document. <br />The primary mitigative measure is the surface water control plan which is discussed in <br />the mine permit document. This plan provides for the use of ditches and impoundment structures <br />to decrease sediment levels generated from the surface facilities area. These affected areas <br />include mine discharges, refuse disposal areas, coal stockpiles and sediment control from <br />disturbed areas. <br />Areas outside the surface water control plan are either seeded, mulched, and protected <br />with straw bale dikes or silt fences, or have previously been vegetated or graveled for erosional <br />stabilization. Minimization of disturbance is a long -term objective at the site. <br />A spill prevention control plan has been prepared and can be implemented as situations <br />arise. Generally, the plan calls for containing any potential spills (i.e., oil, diesel fuel, gasoline, <br />etc.) and preventing the material from contaminating surface and/or groundwater. No materials <br />are currently stored on site. <br />Monitoring of area hydrologic functions will continue at the mine. This is an important <br />mitigative measure because it provides for identification of potential impacts and corrective <br />actions to be taken. <br />Reclamation plans have been developed to restore surface lands and drainage. Those <br />plans are discussed in details in the mine permit document. <br />