2014-05-12_PERMIT FILE - C2010089A (2)

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temporarily inactive but eventually used for mining related purposes will be temporarily sealed at the surface and secured and protected for safety by surface structures or barricades. Permanent sealing of holes, wells or other exposed underground openings not completed to aquifers will be sealed by replacing cuttings or other suitable media in the hole. A suitable plug will be placed ten feet below the ground surface to support a cement plug or other media to within three feet of the ground surface. Permanent sealing of holes, wells, etc. completed in aquifers will be sealed using cement or other suitable sealant. The sealant will be placed in the hole from the bottom to within ten feet of the surface. Surface plugs used to complete the permanent sealing of holes, wells, etc. will be selected and used only if DRMS gives prior approval. All associated surface sites will be reclaimed following the cessation of mining. WFC will submit to the DRMS a proof of compliance report containing pertinent information on permanent sealing of any hole, well, etc. within 60 days of completion of such activities. Ground Water Quantity The backfilling and grading of spoil materials is accomplished by dozers and trucks (see Section 2.05.4(2)(c), Backfilling and Grading). As described in Section 2.04.7 Hydrologic Description, the NHN permit area is hydrologically isolated from adjacent areas of Dakota coal strata by stream incision. Further, the hydrologic regime at NHN is the sole product of seasonal irrigation by way of the Colorado Cooperative Company's 2nd Park Lateral irrigation ditch. This ditch was completed in about 1905 and delivers a nominal 19.2 cubic feet per second (cfs) of water to the 2nd Park area. About 10.8 cfs enters the permit area in the 2nd Park Lateral (see Map 2.04.7 -1 of Section 2.04.7) where about 2.5 cfs is used on the permit area and the remaining water goes to water share holders located down stream. The 2nd Park Lateral is to be diverted into a high density poly ethylene (HDPE) pipeline around the mining area. After the mine has advanced far enough north and overburden backfilling and top soil spreading has progressed past the original ditch location, the HDPE pipeline will be rerouted to approximately the original ditch location. Infiltration and percolation of irrigation water from the banks and bed of the 2nd Park ditch will for the most part be eliminated. This will also eliminate the primary source of recharge to the overburden, coal and under- burden zones. The structure of the strata (see Map 2.04.6 -2 in Section 2.04.6) will prevent any major saturation of the backfilled overburden material as any percolating excessive irrigation water or water from intense precipitation events will drain to the south along the contact of backfill material and the relatively tight under- burden. In addition to backfilling methods, top soiling and reclamation plans outlined in Section 2.05.4(2)(d), Topsoil (Redistribution), and Section 2.05.4(2)(e), Revegetation, will enhance the potential for establishing reclaimed areas that exhibit similar infiltration rates to premining conditions. Seeding and mulching of redistributed topsoil will augment moisture retention and infiltration rates of the reclaimed areas. Mechanical manipulation of the regraded spoil and topsoil (chisel plowing, disking and ripping) will further aid the percolation of soil moisture downward. Any accumulated ground water inflow to the pit will be removed by pumping the water into a sediment pond (NHN -001 through NHN -004). Design criteria for such sediment ponds are presented in Section 2.05.3(3), Mine Facilities. The ponds are designed to contain runoff from a 10 -year, 24 -hour storm event plus additional storage capacity for water pumped from mine pits. Section 2.OS.6(3)(b(v) Page 2 April 2011