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West Elk Mine <br />(4) Topsoil Removal, Storage, and Redistribution <br />Topsoil is removed, stored, and distributed as described earlier in Section 2.05.4. These same <br />procedures will guide handling of the topsoil after the West Elk Mine is closed and abandoned. <br />(5) Revegetation <br />Post-Mining Land Use and Tom ayhy <br />The pre-mining land use is rangeland and wildlife habitat. It is desired to provide final reclamation <br />of the disturbed areas that is self-sustaining and provides habitat suitable for domestic livestock and <br />wildlife. <br />As a result of concentrating the refuse disposal to as few acres as possible, only minimal impact <br />will occur. The disposal areas will occupy a maximum of approximately 65 acres. Refuse disposal <br />will occupy less than one percent of the total life-of-mine plan area (Exhibit 50 and Exhibit 51). <br />Post-mining topography of the affected area is indicated on Map 58 and Map 59. Except within the <br />landslide area (if the upper refuse disposal site is constructed) and the lower refuse disposal site <br />described in Exhibit 51, the reclaimed slopes will be similar to the pre-mining topography or less, if <br />necessary, to assure a 1.3 factor of safety after reclamation. Cut-and-fill terraces are not anticipated <br />nor proposed at this time. <br />Rangeland and wildlife habitat was selected as the post-mining land use for the refuse disposal <br />areas because of the pre-mining conditions in the area. Reclamation at the West Elk Mine will <br />provide grazing for livestock as well as develop cover, food, and nesting areas for wildlife. The <br />surrounding heavily shrubbed areas and clusters of planted shrubs will provide adequate edge effect <br />to insure a diverse wildlife habitat within a rangeland meadow plant community. <br />(6) Sealing and Managing Mine Openings. <br />Mine Area <br />The West Elk Mine will be abandoned and sealed after the mine life has expired. Currently, <br />Mountain Coal Company plans to- leave no openings to the surface. In addition, all seals will be <br />placed underground. Details on seals for the mine openings are provided in Exhibit 54. <br />Shafts and Vents <br />Mountain Coal Company will provide appropriate seal designs for the ventilation shafts and vents <br />to the CDMG before sealing. The seal designs will take into account the actual conditions for the <br />particular areas for both quality and quantity of water, if present. MCC will seal the Sylvester <br />Gulch ventilation shafts as required by MSHA and CMLRB regulations for permanent closure of <br />mine openings. <br />2.05-86 Revised Dec. 1997 MR208