Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> 46 C1981-041 RN7 findings <br /> <br />Grading of the portal area after sealing the portals began with installation of the French <br />drain shown on Exhibit 6C. The French drain system has three branches. Two of the <br />branches intercept minor seepage from the portal seals. The third branch is designed <br />to intercept water from the hillside southwest of the conveyor entry. This third leg <br />extends above the level of the portal entries to intercept seepage along the existing <br />hillside. This seepage originates from an irrigation pond located above and to the <br />southwest of the portal. The next reclamation step involved grading concrete and <br />cinderblock remaining from demolition of the shop -office complex into the portals <br />and highwall. Sufficient amounts of dirt were mixed with this material to eliminate <br />voids and promote stability of the fill. Dirt for backfill of the portal highwall was from <br />excess material at the unit train loadout. <br /> <br />Topsoil was not salvaged from this area, therefore the best available material from the <br />cut areas were used for the final cover. <br /> <br />The Unit Train Loadout was converted to industrial use with approval of PR -4. The <br />rail loop and a portion of the rail spur will be left in place since it will be the key <br />feature for the industrial use of the area. See Tab 15, page 15 -1 for more detailed <br />information on the post mining land use. <br /> <br />Following removal of mine facilities, buildings, and asphalt, and sealing of <br />underground mine openings, all areas affected by surface operations will be backfilled <br />and graded as necessary to stabilize slopes and promote successful revegetation. The <br />anticipated final surface configuration for each affected surface area, as well as <br />existing and proposed post-mine cross-sections, are depicted in Exhibits 6C through <br />12C, and Exhibits 26, 27 and 28 of the permit application. <br /> <br />Original reclamation plans for the South Portals area had entailed retention of existing <br />mine bench and highwall, but the plan had been revised to reflect elimination of the <br />bench and highwall, and to approximate the general nature of the premining <br />topography, prior to the 1993 permit renewal. As a component of the 1995 mid-term <br />review, the Division requested additional detail on final reclamation configuration of <br />the Roadside Refuse Disposal Area (RSRDA), and documentation of reclamation <br />material balances for the entire South Portal area, including the RSRDA. <br /> <br />PR-02, approved in 1997, included a more detailed final reclamation plan for the <br />Roadside Refuse Disposal Area (RSRDA) and South Portals disturbance area. <br />Documentation of material balances was also provided in PR-02, in 1997, and relevant <br />post-mine topographic maps and cross-sections were amended. Further refinements <br />of the final reclamation plan for the South Portals and RSRDA, including amended <br />permanent drainage plans, were approved via technical revisions prior to initiation of <br />final reclamation in 2002. RSRDA slopes and terrace drains were reclaimed in 2002, <br />and a new upper diversion beginning just above the portal highwall and extending to <br />the south around the RSRDA was constructed. The wash plant and associated <br />facilities were removed, however various additional facilities remained on the lower