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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 5 <br />area. None of the species were encountered, and they determined that it is highly unlikely, if not <br />impossible, for them to be found at the NHN Mine site. <br /> <br />Prime Farmland Investigation- Section 2.04.12 <br /> <br />The NRCS has identified one soils mapping unit within the NHN Mine permit area to be "prime <br />farmland if irrigated." This mapping unit, 71 - Nyswonger silty clay loam, appears in two <br />locations, totaling 1.46 acres on permit Map 2.04.9-1, NRCS Soils Map. The "Rice Tract" site is <br />located on the eastern edge of the permit area, immediately north of the area mined and reclaimed <br />under the New Horizon No. 1 Mine. This area will be disturbed by mining and reclamation <br />activities. The second site, "Tuttle Draw", is found at the southern end of the equipment corridor, <br />at Tuttle Draw. Detailed maps of the two sites are provided as permit Maps 2.04.12-1 and 2.04.12- <br />2, respectively. Neither of these locations have a history of having been irrigated or cropped . In <br />a letter dated May 8, 2009, the NRCS issued a negative determination for the presence of prime <br />farmland at the "Rice Tract" location. <br /> <br />Description of the Reclamation Plans <br /> <br />Reclamation Plan <br /> <br />Reclamation activities occur concurrently with mining. ERMR estimates that each panel (or cut) <br />will be backfilled and graded within six months following removal of the coal. A typical diagram <br />illustrating the mining and backfill process is provided in Map 2.05.3-1 of the permit. Following <br />backfilling and grading, topsoil is redistributed to the thicknesses shown on Map 2.05.4(2)(d)-1. <br />The type and thickness of topsoil is related to the post-mining land use. Replaced soils are prepared <br />for seeding as described in Sections 2.05.4(2)(d) and (e) of the permit. The reclaimed lands will <br />be capable of supporting the same uses that were present prior to disturbance. <br /> <br />