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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />geologic column) coal seam. Hence successful highwall mining is in part dependant upon timely and <br />successful contemporaneous reclamation of the pits. <br />4.23.2(4) Prevent Pollution of Surface and Groundwater and to Reduce Fire Hazards <br />Ground water in the pit or highwall mining holes will not be problematic being that the Colowyo pits are <br />essentially dry (minor perched aquifers with limited seasonal flows) and are located above the 1" regional <br />aquifer (Trout Creek) by a substantial distance. Ground water flow regimes and the negligible impact that <br />Colowyo's surface mining activities have on ground water as a result of mining these target coal seams /rock <br />interburdens are detailed extensively in Permit Section 2.04.7(1). From this extensive body of data and from <br />experiences to date with mining activities, no toxic forming or acid forming water discharge is anticipated <br />from any of the highwall openings. Should toxic forming or acid forming water discharges be encountered, <br />the opening exhibiting the discharge will be backfilled within 72 hours of completion. <br />Colowyo will backfill each highwall miner entrance hole within 30 days following coal extraction. All <br />highwall miner entrance holes will be further buried by pit backfill during the normal backfill sequence for <br />the pits to remain in compliance with Rules 4.05.1 and 4.05.2. Ground water hydrologic regimes will be re- <br />established in the backfilled pits with no anticipated detrimental effects from the highwall miner holes. <br />4.23.2(5) Holes Need Not Be Plugged <br />All highwall miner entrance holes will be backfilled in accordance with the requirements set forth in 4.14. <br />4.23.2(6) Division Shall Prohibit Auger (Highwall Mining) Mining <br />There is no probable reason to prohibit the highwall mining in light of no anticipated adverse impacts to water <br />quality, fill stability, pit backfilling, increased resource recovery, and highwall mining is designed for zero <br />subsidence to prevent disturbance or damage to powerlines, buildings, or other surface facilities. <br />4.23.2(7) Backfill and Grading Requirements <br />Highwall mining will be conducted in accordance with the backfilling and grading requirements of 4.14. <br />4.24 OPERATIONS IN ALLUVIAL VALLEY FLOORS <br />The field investigation described in Section 2.04.7 and 2.06.8 resulted in no identification of alluvial valley <br />floors in the general area which would be adversely affected by mining operations; therefore, no special <br />performance standards for operations in the alluvial valley floors are applicable to this mining permit <br />application, and no protection or remedial measures are proposed for compliance to this Section. <br />4.25 OPERATIONS ON PRIME FARMLANDS <br />Since a negative determination of prime farmland was arrived at using the eligibility requirements established <br />for prime farmland under Section 2.04.12, these performance standards do not apply to the present permit <br />application. <br />C ► 101016I1Ja_IT. 0 1111 7 flu 1;1]11:171 <br />The South Taylor Mine, although removing the entirety of the X and A seams from the top of the unnamed <br />mountain separating the drainages of Taylor, Wilson, and Good Springs Creeks, Colowyo will be mining <br />South Taylor /Lower Wilson — Rule 4, Page 21 Revision Date: 10/31/13 <br />Revision No.: MR -129 <br />