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would be in the West Portal area; this has not been built. <br />During reclamation, the bench areas at the mine will be graded to the approximate original <br />contour. The disturbed areas will receive nine inches of topsoil or will be ripped (depending on <br />the area as discussed below), then seeded and mulched to establish a vegetative cover of a <br />variety consistent with surrounding vegetation. The stream channel diversion of the Middle Fork <br />of the Purgatoire River, which was approved under Permit Revision #1, is permanent and will <br />remain as constructed. Monitoring has demonstrated that the reconstructed channel is stable. <br />Facilities that shall be retained as permanent include Pond 004A, Pond 08, two small buildings, <br />and several roads. <br />Topsoil was salvaged from the disturbed area above the RDA during each successive movement <br />of the clean water diversion ditch above the RDA. This material (which is currently in Topsoil <br />Stockpile #2) will be used in the reclamation of the RDA. A topsoil borrow area in the West <br />Mine area, in addition to stockpiled topsoil, will be used to reclaim the areas of the existing and <br />proposed surface facilities. Due to previous disturbance prior to the enactment of the Colorado <br />Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, very little topsoil is available for use during reclamation <br />of areas previously disturbed. Permitted disturbed areas, underlain by refuse, whether pre -law or <br />post -law, will receive topsoil prior to re -seeding and mulching. Permitted disturbed areas not on <br />refuse material will be ripped prior to reseeding and mulching. See Maps 15 and 16 for specific <br />identification of these two types of disturbed areas. <br />The post -mining land use is rangeland for most of the disturbed area and wildlife habitat (upland <br />and riparian) for the remainder of the disturbed area. These land uses are compatible with the <br />surrounding uses. The proximity of the mine site to the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River and <br />the heavily forested areas to the south indicate a high probability of wildlife use following <br />reclamation. Riparian vegetation, as well as the use of native grasses and shrubs, is planned for <br />reclamation. <br />Operations at the Jansen Loadout will be limited to the weighing of coal trucks, unloading and <br />stockpiling of coal, and conveying and loading of coal into unit trains. The operator estimates <br />that 24,000 tons of coal can be stored at the site. The operator will utilize covered coal <br />conveyors and water spray to minimize fugitive dust. Storm water runoff is handled by the <br />existing grade and a series of ditches and small sumps. One small fuel tank will be stored at the <br />site. Mine identification signs will be posted at the entrance to the site on the west side and the <br />perimeter area will be marked. <br />The pre -mining and post -mining land use at the Jansen Load out is industrial. When the Jansen <br />Loadout is no longer necessary for loading on coal, all structures, except those specifically <br />identified in Attachment 2 of Exhibit 40 for permanent retention, will be removed and the site <br />will be graded and returned to a rail siding for use by the landowner. <br />New Elk Mine <br />Findings for RN -06, May 11, 2017 <br />7 <br />