2018-08-20_PERMIT FILE - C1981012A

• Permit No: C1981012A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 8/20/2018
• Section_Exhibit Name: Section 2.05 Operation and Reclamation Plan
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

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P3E Dargol-Fuera-Vamer Complex. The typical topsoil layer for this soil type is 5
inches thick with subsoil of 23 inches over siltstone. Depth to bedrock ranges from 20
to 40 inches. The actual topsoil and subsoil depth will be evaluated at the time of
construction. Assuming 9 inches of topsoil, 1,900 BCY will be relocated to topsoil
storage pile #1. Subsoil at 23 inches results in 4,855 BCY of subsoil to be relocated
and stored temporarily at the subsoil storage area #1 west of topsoil storage pile #2.
Approximately 25,000 bank cubic yards of bedrock subsoil and 14,000 bank cubic
yards of common subsoil from the Bates Portal excavation will be placed in the
subsoil stockpiles #2 and #3 respectively. The topsoil and subsoil storage areas are
shown on Map 11, Sheet 3 East Portal Facilities.
(e) Depth of Cover Requirement- Development Waste Pile (DWP) and Refuse
Disposal Area
New Elk Coal Company Processing (NECC) reviewed the suitability of instituting an
Alternative Cover Requirement for the DWP and RDA. NECC is using an
Abandoned Mined Lands (AML) reclamation project adjacent to the New Elk Mine
as a basis to develop an alternative practice. AML reclaimed an old mine waste
dump in 1990. This dump was active in the 1950's and abandoned by CF & I's Allen
Mine prior to 1977. It was never included in the New Elk permit. Composition of the
pile is believed to be similar to the New Elk DWP.
AML completed the reclamation of the waste dump using cover averaging twelve
inches of alternative soil material. The reclamation success of this project was
evaluated in 2001 using procedures proscribed in the New Elk permit for evaluating
revegetation success. This study can be found as Exhibit 36 of the New Elk permit.
After almost ten years since completion of the reclamation, the AML area appears to
support a healthy stand of perennial grasses and forbs. The site appears to be
physically stable with no signs of significant erosion. The area meets the standards
for herbaceous production, cool season grass diversity, perennial forbs diversity, and
woody stem density. The survey did not meet the standard for percentage cover and
species diversity for warm season grasses.
The vegetation cover requirement was not met possible for several reasons including
soil nutrient deficiencies and grazing. The proposed reclamation plan will include a
soil testing and enhancement program and the area will be fenced to restrict domestic
grazing activities. The likely explanation for the area not meeting the warm season
grass species diversity standard is that warm season grasses were under -represented
in the seed mixture used as part of the AML project. The seed mixture was comprised
of 13 percent warm season grasses and 70 percent cool season grasses. The seed mix
developed as part of the Mine Permit is comprised of 39 percent cool season grasses
and 40 percent warm season grasses. As a result, areas reclaimed using this seed
mixture are expected to meet the species diversity standard.
DWP and Development Waste Disposal Area #2 and #3 - Reclamation Plan
Section 2.05 RN -6 10/17/2016