Laserfiche WebLink
Plans and commitments contained in Tabs 15 through 18, and Tab 22, adequately <br />address those measures which will be taken to monitor potential impacts and ensure <br />that the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors within the permit area <br />are reestablished after mining and that the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial <br />valley floors outside the permit area are preserved during and after mining. If future <br />monitoring of affected surface and ground waters indicates trends which necessitate <br />alteration of the projections upon which these AVF findings are based, the findings <br />will be reevaluated and modified as appropriate. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XVIII. Operations on Prime Farmland <br />The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmlands <br />within the permit area. This decision was based on the evidence provided by the Soil <br />Conservation Service that there are no prime farmland mapping units within the proposed <br />permit area. This evidence can be found in Volume 5, Tab 9, Appendix 9-5. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XIX. Mountaintop Removal <br />A. The Division proposes to approve an exemption from retention of an outcrop <br />barrier at the toe of the lowest coal seam. The applicant has demonstrated that the <br />requirements of Rule 4.26.2(2) will be met. <br />XX. Operations on Steep Slopes <br />A. The Division proposes to approve a variance from meeting approximate original <br />contour for reclaimed areas. This variance is proposed following a demonstration <br />that the requirements of Rule 2.06.4 and 2.06.5 have been met (4.27.3). In <br />addition, the Division believes that the applicant has demonstrated that the <br />requirements of Rule 4.27.4 will be met. <br />B. The applicant has proposed to dispose of woody plant materials in the backfill <br />beneath the highwall. The Division does not believe this practice will deteriorate <br />the stable condition of the backfilled area, and therefore proposes to approve of this <br />practice (4.27.3(6)). <br />C. The Division proposes to approve of the construction of an unlined or unprotected <br />drainage channel on backfill. This proposal is based on a demonstration that the <br />channel will be stable and not subject to erosion (4.27.3(7)). <br />D. The applicant has proposed alternative specifications and practices for operations <br />on steep slopes and reclamation of these operations. This proposal has been <br />accompanied by a thorough analytical demonstration that use of the alternatives <br />41 <br />