2016-12-23_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A (8)

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growth. The values of cover and production in 1981 were 73.8 percent and 2,787 lbs/acre. By 1985, these two parameters had increased to 87.8 percent and 4,258 lbs/acre. The results of this study and physical and chemical characteristics of the stockpiled topsoil demonstrate that the material will be a suitable plant growth media. EMD (Panel 2 -Right through 6 -Right, PR97-04) The existing facilities currently in place at TCC will be used to support mining of coal in the remainder of the EMD. TCC does not anticipate the need to construct any new surface facilities, therefore, no response is required for this rule. NMD (Panels 12 -Right through 16 -Right, PR99-05) The existing facilities currently in place at TCC will be used to support mining of coal in the remainder of the NMD. TCC does not anticipate the need to construct any new surface facilities, therefore, no response is required for this rule. NW Mains Ventilation Shaft and Thickener Underflow Project (TRO1-39) Construction of the NW Mains Ventilation Shaft will result in limited surface disturbance for the shaft pad and associated access road and powerline. AVF and soil surveys of potential disturbance areas conducted by Habitat Management, Inc. indicated that the disturbance would fall within the mapped boundaries of the Slocum loam and Binco silty clay loam soil types. Three soil pits were excavated and soil parameters were documented, consistent with the applicable AVF requirements of Rule 2.06.8. Soil survey results are presented in Exhibit 16A, NW Mains Ventilation Shaft - AVF Soil Investigation. The AVF soil survey indicates a distinct soil, vegetation, and topographic boundary between the Fish Creek AVF and the upland portion of the study area. NMD (Panels 17 -Right through 25 -Right, PR03-06 and PR06-07) The existing facilities currently in place at TCC will be used to support mining of coal in the remainder of the NMD. Additional facilities, constructed specifically to support mining in the NMD, include the 18 -Right Ventilation Shaft and 6 -North Mains Ventilation Shaft and ancillary facilities, as described in the following sections. 18 -Right Ventilation Shaft and 9 -East Utility Borehole (TR04-44, MR16-296) Construction of the 18 -Right Ventilation Shaft will result in limited surface disturbance for the shaft pad and associated access road. An upland and alluvial valley floor (AVF) soil investigation was conducted along Fish Creek for the RAG Twentymile Coal Company (TCC) in Routt County, Colorado. This investigation was performed to support TCC's proposed construction of two proposed ventilation shaft facilities (the 18 -Right Intake Shaft and the future 6 -North Mains Ventilation Shaft) and the access roads to these facilities. This soil investigation complies with the AVF requirements, contained in Section 2.06.8 of the Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining. Soil descriptions were recorded from 12 continuous soil cores located along the proposed road corridors and vent shaft facilities within and adjacent to the previously delineated Fish Creek AVF. The soil cores were located in Township 5 North, Range 86 West, Section 11 (Map 1 S, 18 -Right Bleeder shaft) and Section 17 (Map 2S, Future Intake Shaft). The soil investigation was conducted on October 21 and 22, 2003 by Kenneth E. Carlson, a Certified Professional Soil Scientist (#2824) with Habitat Management, Inc. The detailed report of the investigation is provided in Exhibit 16C, RAG Twentymile Coal Company, Fish Creek Shaft & Access Road Soil Investigation, Routt County, Colorado, dated October 2003. A summary of the report follows. Soil Core Locations: Twelve continuous soil cores were located and excavated with a Giddings drill rig and with a manual soil bucket auger along the proposed vent shaft access road corridors and withinthe footprints of the two proposed vent shaft pads (Map 1S 18 Right Bleeder Shaft and Map 2S Future Intake Shaft). Two soil cores (#2 and #9) were placed within the previously delineated Fish Creek AVF at locations that best represent the variable conditions within the MR16-296 2.04-50 05/10/16