2014-10-31_PERMIT FILE - C1981044 (9)

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2.06.7 VARIANCES FOR DELAY IN CONTEMPORANEOUS RECLAMATION REQUIREMENTS IN COMBINED SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND MINING OPERATIONS EC is strictly an underground coal mining operation and will not conduct any surface mining activities. However, reclamation activities are and will be undertaken on various old, abandoned surface mining operations. Refer to Section 2.05.4 for detailed reclamation plans. 2.06.8 SURFACE COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION ON AREAS OR ADJACENT TO AREAS INCLUDING ALLUVIAL VALLEY FLOORS General The two (2) river systems which contain alluvial valley floor deposits and pass through the EC Permit area are, I) Yampa River and 2) Williams Fork River. The location of the two (2) rivers relative to the EC mine permit boundary is shown on the Structures and Renewable Resources Map (Map 25) and the Regional Geology and Hydrologic Monitoring Program Location Map (Map 11) Mining History of the Yampa and Williams Fork River Valley Floors Yampa River Valley Floor. Very limited mining has occurred on the Yampa River valley floor. The W.R. Grace gravel pit, started in 1976, is the only active mine. However, no gravel has been extracted from this pit for a number of years. Two (2) ponds were created as a result of the gravel mining activity. Development entries from the Eagle No. 9 mine extended under a limited portion of the Big Bottom area. However, the Eagle No. 9 mine is now abandoned; and, approval for mining in the No. 9 mine in the Big Bottom area is not being requested in [his permit submittal. Williams Fork River Valley Floor. The No. 5 mine was established on the Williams Fork River valley floor during the early 1970's. Mine entries were developed into the "F" coal seam, which outcropped above the valley floor. All surface facilities were constructed near the portal entries on the valley floor. The No. 5 mine currently utilizes the original portal entries and surface facilities as well as the surface facilities added to the EC operation during 1981 and 1982. In addition to the No. 5 mine, two (2) other mines have operated on the Williams alluvial valley floor. These were the 1) Leo White mine and 2) the Wise Hill No. 4 mine. Mining operations were terminated in the Leo White mine in 1935 and in the Wise Hill No. 4 mine in 1971. Surface facilities utilized by these mines were located on the periphery of the Williams Fork Valley Floor. Characteristics of the Yampa River Alluvial Valley Floor (Big Bottoml The Big Bottom area has very little topographic relief. Due to the minor elevation differences between the Yampa River and the valley floor, portions of the valley floor are flooded during the spring runoff. The width of the Big Bottom alluvial valley is as much as 9,000 feet and averages about 5,000 feet. The soils in the Big Bottom have been extensively mapped. Information on the soils is provided in Section 2.04.9, Soil Resource Information. Except for the marshy areas and alkali flats, the soils are conducive to hay production. Marshy areas and to a greater extent alkali flats are present. The alkali flats can be observed from State Highway 13 during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Where possible, pastures have been established and are utilized for both hay production and grazing. As noted in Section 2.04.10, Vegetation Information, all of the Big Bottom area is grazed including the sagebrush that can be found over a large portion of the area. Permit Revision 04-34 2.06-2 Revised 7/2/04