Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 28 <br />reclamation plan approved by the Mined Land Reclamation Board prior to August <br />3, 1977, for a surface coal mine (4.34.3(4) and 2.06.8(5)(b)(ii)(A)). <br /> <br />Surface coal mining and reclamation operations were conducted in a manner whereby <br />the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley floors outside were retained, <br />and those within the permit area were reestablished, throughout the mining and <br />reclamation process (4.24.2). <br /> <br />XVIII. Operations on Prime Farmland <br /> <br />The discussion of prime farmlands can be found in Volume I, Section 5.1 of the PAP. <br />In addition, soil survey work is contained in Section 3.8.2, topsoil removal and storage <br />is discussed in Section 4.4.3, and agricultural yields for the site are presented in <br />Section 3.2.1. <br /> <br />An investigation was conducted of the mine site to determine whether prime farmlands <br />existed in or adjacent to the five-year permit area. The investigation revealed that <br />there are no soil map units that have been designated prime farmland by the U.S. Soil <br />Conservation Service within or adjacent to the mine site. This information is one of <br />the criteria listed in Rule 2.04.12(2) as acceptable to make a negative determination. <br />Based on this, the Division found that no prime farmlands exist in the five-year mine <br />permit area. <br /> <br />A similar investigation was conducted for the mine loadout facility and its associated <br />haul road. A small portion of the loadout haul road has been constructed on soils <br />mapped by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service as prime farmland. The Division found <br />that the soil units 70C - Unnamed silt loan - and d71 - Almy loam - identified on Soils <br />Map D-3-15, are the only area of prime farmland in or adjacent to the loadout permit <br />area. No additional disturbance is proposed for this unit of prime farmland or any <br />other unit. On behalf of the landowner, the operator requested that the haul road, <br />which disturbed a small portion of prime farmland, be retained after mining. Because <br />Rule 4.25.1(2) exempts coal preparation plants, support facilities and roads of <br />underground mines used over an extended period of time and affecting a minimal <br />amount of land from the performance standards for prime farmland, the haul road was <br />permitted to remain in place for the landowner's convenience rather than being <br />reclaimed. The Division subsequently determined that none of the permit area, was in <br />fact, prime farmland. <br /> <br />XIX. Mountaintop Removal <br /> <br /> There are no mountain top removal operations proposed for the North Thompson Mine. <br /> <br />XX. Operations on Steep Slopes <br /> <br /> Steep slope operations as defined by Rule 4.27, do not apply to the North Thompson