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and hauled to the back of the pit for placement in the uppermost overburden level of the backfilled <br />pit. The replaced Bench 1 material will directly underlie all topsoil that will be redistributed. The <br />lower overburden consists of shales and sandstone, which requires blasting in order to remove it. <br />Overburden will be removed by bulldozer or a shovel and trucks after an area has been drilled and <br />shot. An ANFO slurry is the primary agent used in the blast. All shots are monitored with <br />seismographs located at structures nearest to the blast. Blasting schedules are published in the <br />local newspaper. Most blasting occurs mid-day early in the week. Daily notifications are made <br />prior to each blast to certain individuals who have requested this service. <br />Perimeter haul roads, as shown on Map 2.05.3(3)-3, were constructed within the disturbed area. <br />Three sediment ponds collect and treat runoff from the site. Removal of the coal resource <br />commenced in 2013 and is expected to be completed in 2020. The primary coal seam to be <br />recovered is the Lower Dakota seam. The Upper Dakota seam will be recovered if it is thick <br />enough and of sufficient quality. The rate of coal production, which supplies Tri-State Generating <br />and Transmission Association's Nucla Station, is expected to be 350,000 to 460,000 tons per year. <br />Coal is transported to the plant by contracted haulage trucks over a network of Montrose County <br />roads. <br />Reclamation Plan <br />Reclamation activities occur concurrently with mining. WFC estimates that each panel (or cut) <br />will be backfilled and graded within six months following removal of the coal. A typical diagram <br />illustrating the mining and backfill process is provided in Map 2.05.3-1 of the permit. Following <br />backfilling and grading, topsoil is redistributed to the thicknesses shown on Map 2.05.4(2)(d) -l. <br />The type and thickness of topsoil is related to the post -mining land use. Replaced soils are prepared <br />for seeding as described in Sections 2.05.4(2)(d) and (e) of the permit. The reclaimed lands will <br />be capable of supporting the same uses that were present prior to disturbance. <br />Water rights and usage <br />The only well within a 1 -mile radius of NHN permit area that had an adjudicated water right <br />was Well Permit No. 92752, which is the former Peabody Coal Company "Nucla Mine Shop <br />Well", used for drinking and sanitation. According to WFC (see table 2.04.7-4), this well has <br />been abandoned. All of the wells listed on Table 2.04.7-4 are exempt from administration <br />including the Nucla Mine Shop Well. <br />There are no water rights associated with any of the other wells identified within or adjacent <br />to the NHN permit area. The wells within the permit and adjacent area are used for a variety <br />purposes including household use, domestic and livestock, and groundwater monitoring. <br />Ownership of the monitoring wells has been transferred from WFC to Montrose County. With <br />exception of the groundwater monitoring wells (completed in the Dakota Formation), all other <br />wells are completed in the underlying Morrison Formation isolated from any potential impact <br />from the mining operation. <br />9 <br />