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<br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance July 2018 <br />Permit Renewal No. 7 P a g e | 42 <br />contour furrowed to minimize erosion. <br /> <br />For most of the Mine’s history, required average uniform topsoil replacement thickness was 18 <br />inches, although a 12-inch average uniform replacement thickness was specified for Section 11. <br />With the approval of TR-62 (May 2006), the required average uniform topsoil replacement <br />thickness applicable to “original permit area” disturbances was eight inches. <br /> <br />With the submittal of TR-72, Colowyo proposed a variable topsoil replacement plan starting with <br />2009 reclamation. With TR-82, a detailed plan was submitted for variable replacement depth s in <br />the South Taylor Pit and West Pit. With this plan, on steeper slopes (over 10 percent) deeper soil <br />is placed and the area is seeded to grassland for post-mining grazing and for erosion control. On <br />flatter slopes the areas are covered with four inches of topsoil (on average) and seeded to sagebrush <br />steppe. <br /> <br />The Collom Pit area is approved for variable replacement depths. Topsoil will be redistributed <br />and graded with thin topsoil (<6 inches) on ridge tops to gradually thicker topsoil moving down <br />the slopes to the drainage bottoms for the grassland use targeted areas. Sagebrush Steppe areas <br />will receive an average of approximately 4 inches of uniform topsoil to encourage proper seeding <br />depth and over all shrub establishment conditions. <br />D. Specific Findings Required by Rule 4.06 <br /> <br />The Division approved a waiver of the requirement for clearing of vegetation cover prior to topsoil <br />removal. Colowyo has demonstrated that inclusion of vegetation cover in salvaged topsoil is <br />necessary or desirable to ensure soil productivity consistent with the post-mining land use (Rule <br />4.06.2(l)). <br /> <br />The Division granted a variance from topsoil removal in accordance with Rule 4.06.2(2)(a). Areas <br />which may qualify for variance are: areas where light traffic does not destroy existing vegetation, <br />areas where removal would result in needless damage to soil characteristics, steep slopes of <br />minimum topsoil depths, steep slopes hazardous for equipment operations, and areas of <br />construction of small structures such as power poles, signs or fence lines. <br />V. Sealing of Drilled Holes and Underground Openings - Rule 4.07 <br /> <br />The Permit is found to be in compliance with Rule 4.07. Each exploration hole, other bore hole <br />or other exposed opening constructed or encountered during mining will be cased, sealed or <br />otherwise managed (some holes are mined through) according to the requirements of 4.07. Details <br />are found in Section 2.05 of the PAP. Monitoring wells will be fitted with temporary caps. Holes <br />dug to aquifers will be sealed with cement or other suitable sealant to within ten feet of the surface. <br /> <br />Colowyo has no active Notices of Intent (NOIs) to explore for coal with the Division. All of <br />Colowyo’s previous NOIs have received final reclamation and have received full bond release.