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meets the applicable criteria for a Small Area Exemption, the proposed drainage control measures should be effective in <br />controlling runoff and sedimentation, and construction of full-scale drainage and sediment control structures is neither <br />needed nor justified. <br />13 -Left Outbv Utility Borehole (MR15-291) — Given the limited disturbance areas, the location of the road and pad <br />on a low -gradient sidehill, and the very temporary nature of the planned disturbance, the 13LT Outby Utility Borehole <br />pad, and associated road will have minimal impact relative to runoff and sediment contributions. The limited amount <br />of drainage from upgradient areas will be intercepted and routed around the borehole pad by a small upgradient <br />diversion ditch on the southwest and northwest sides of the pad. The existing ranch road crosses a small ephemeral <br />drainage, and the existing culvert will remain in-place. The culvert installation will evaluated relative to condition <br />and cover to carry the anticipated truck traffic, the culvert will be replaced or extended as necessary, and adequate <br />cover will be placed to carry the anticipated loads, without crushing the culvert. Drainage from the borehole pad <br />area will be controlled under a Small -Area Exemption, with gravel surfacing on the pad and road to control runoff <br />and sediment and placement of rigid sediment filter material on the northeast side of the pad area. The upgradient <br />diversion ditches will drain through rock sediment basins to the undisturbed adjacent lands, and pad cut/fill areas <br />will be stabilized with temporary revegetation seeding. As a very limited disturbance area (approximately 1.0 acres <br />for the pad and road, of which 2.4 acres is road) the disturbance areas meet the applicable criteria for a Small Area <br />Exemption, the proposed drainage control measures should be effective in controlling runoff and sedimentation, and <br />construction of bill -scale drainage and sediment control structures is neither needed nor justified. <br />Field Geotechnical Investigations — TC occasionally conducts field geotechnical investigations prior to, and as the <br />basis for, desi-n and construction of engineered structures. Geotechnical investigations typically involve shallow soil <br />borings (up to 30 feet) using a hollow -stem auger, and/or excavation of shallow (up to 15 feet) test pits. For both soils <br />borings and test pits. surface disturbance is minimal (no more than 10 x 10 feet for boreholes, and 10 x 15 feet for <br />test pits) and both disturbance and subsequent stabilization occur within a timeframe of less than one day for each <br />site (typically test pit excavation/soils boring, and backfilling and leveling of the resultant small area/auger-hole, <br />occurs in a continuous sequence within the course of less than two hours for each location). The geotechnical <br />investigation activities do not involve the use of water and are normally conducted under dry conditions or when <br />the ground is frozen, so the potential for related hydrologic impacts is negligible. All geotechnical disturbance is <br />reseeded by broadcast seeding within 6 -months of disturbance, although natural revegetation typically occurs much <br />sooner due to the limited timeframe and extent of the associated disturbance. Occasionally perforated PVC pipe <br />may be inserted in a completed borehole, and the remainder of the hole backfilled with clean gravel, as a temporary <br />piezometer installation to measure any fluctuation in water -levels. This type of piezometer installation is normally <br />very temporary (typically used less than a month) and will not impact groundwater due to the shallow depth and use <br />of natural cuttings as backfill. Any piezometer installations are reclaimed by either pulling the PVC pipe and <br />placing additional fill. or plugging the PVC pipe in-place using bagged bentonite grout, then capping the <br />installation with a minimum 1.5400t surface plug of natural clays or cement with a site marker. <br />Loadout Area Drainage Modifications (MR14-284) - The drainage and sediment controls for this area were <br />approved under an SAE. as referenced in the Permit text, however, given the configuration and type and level of <br />activities in this area. the existing drainage and sediment controls were found to be marginally adequate. The site <br />conditions were reviewed and evaluated, and the following changes, as shown on Figure EX49DD-F1, were <br />implemented to modify and upgrade the site drainage controls in order to be effective under all reasonably <br />anticipated conditions. <br />Tile pad area on the north side of the rail spur was reduced in size by removing the accumulation of coally material, and <br />regrading and reseeding part of this area, leaving only an access road along the north side of the spur. The drainage <br />configuration of the remaining pad was modified by filling a low area and placing a berm to direct all drainage to the <br />collection sump. The sump capacity and function were expanded by constructing a second sump in series, removing <br />accumulated sediment from the existing sump, and rebuilding the rock perimeter filter. The control capacity of the rail <br />Spur collection ditch was increased by excavating several sediment traps in the ditch and adding additional rock check <br />dams. As a very limited disturbance area (approximately 1.2 acres) the Loadout area disturbance meets the applicable criteria <br />for a Small Area Exemption, the proposed drainage control measures should be effective in controlling runoff and <br />sedimentation. and construction of frill -scale drainage and sediment control structures is neither needed nor justified. <br />M R 16-295 2.05-84.10 04/01/16 <br />