2016-11-18_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A ‎(7)‎

• Permit No: C1981019A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 11/18/2016
• Section_Exhibit Name: Rule 2 Permits -ST
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

RULE 2 PERMITS
Results of the investigation indicate that all of the area potentially disturbed by surface operations or
facilities associated with these areas can be excluded as prime or important farmland, since the land has
not historically been used as cropland. Colowyo requested a prime farmland determination for the permit
revision area from the U.S Department of Agriculture — Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS)
in 2002. The NRCS responded to the request in a letter dated October 9, 2002 which indicated that no
areas of prime farmland are present in the proposed expansion area. A copy of the letter is presented in
Exhibit 9, Item 4 of the existing permit document. Based also on soil survey information, no soil surveys
encountered within the proposed disturbed area associated with the areas of impact of the permit revision
area have been designated as soil map units classified as prime or important farmland. Based upon the
information presented in this section, Colowyo recommends a negative determination for prime farmland
within the permit boundary.
2.04.13 Annual Reclamation Report
Please see Section 2.04.13 in Volume 1.
2.05 OPERATION AND RECLAMATION PLANS
2.05.1 Objectives
The planned operations and reclamation will be similar to those presented in Volume 1, Section 2.05.
Operational changes and information specific to the South Taylor pit are described in the following
sections of this permit revision application.
2.05.2 Operation Plan - Estimated Area for Life of Operation
The entire mining extent of disturbance for the South Taylor mining area will be permitted for the life of
the operation. Other information regarding the permit term is delineated in Section 2.01.5. Information
for the operation plan is delineated in Section 2.05.3. Likewise, for purposes of this application, the
permit area identifies the area for the life of the mine.
Colowyo will employ detailed and current engineering designs for all surface mining activities in order to
maximize coal recovery. The open pit mining technique minimizes or eliminates coal rib losses and coal
fenders. The mining operations described in Section 2.05.3 are designed for maximum coal recovery.
2.05.3(l) Operation Plan —Production Methods
Colowyo has selected its mining procedures on the basis of information from numerous exploration drill
holes which penetrated the overburden, the interburden, and the coal seams. Each phase of mining has
been carefully scheduled so that all equipment can be operated in situations suitable to their design
capabilities. The overall operation plan is designed to flow logically from topsoil removal through
reclamation. The plan is designed to maximize coal recovery and minimize environmental disturbances.
Colowyo's operation plan is described in detail within Volume 1, Section 2.05.3.
Topsoil removal schedules and stockpile locations are delineated on the Topsoil Handling Map, (Map
28B). The amounts of topsoil to be removed and replaced are found in Table 2.04.9-7, Topsoil Mass
Balance — South Taylor Mine Area. Topsoil will be removed from an area primarily during the summer
and fall months to allow for one year of mining advance. A buffer zone, with topsoil removed, will be
left between the undisturbed area and the crest of the pit.
SouthTaylor/Lower Wilson — Rule 2, Page 67 Revision Date: 11/18/16
Revision No.: MR -163