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Non -coal waste (e.g. trash and non -coal combustibles) are stored in a dumpster on site and <br />hauled off for permanent disposal by a commercial trash company. There is no permanent disposal <br />of non -coal waste material on-site. <br />X. Backfilling and Grading — Rule 4.14 <br />Information relevant to backfilling and grading is presented in Sections 3.0 and 3.3-1, of <br />the application. Post -mining contour maps and cross sections are included as Figures 3.1-1 and 3.1- <br />2, pre -mine topography is depicted on Figure 3.1-3, and a stability analysis section is depicted on <br />Figure 3.1-4. <br />The lower portion of the affected area will be returned to approximate original contour <br />(AOC), but the mine bench area will not be returned to AOC. The operator submitted information <br />in the original permit application, and in association with the 1985 permit renewal, demonstrating <br />that the mine bench area qualified as steep slope mining pursuant to 2.06 and 4.27. The Division <br />approved a limited variance to the AOC requirements of 4.14 and 4.27.3, to allow for backfilled <br />slopes of lesser steepness, which would meet applicable stability criteria and support the approved <br />post -mine land use. Average slopes in the mine bench area prior to mining ranged from 80% to <br />85%, whereas the backfilled valley side slopes will range from approximately 40% to 60%. The <br />post -mine topographic configuration will be similar to pre -mine, and stable drainage channels will <br />be reconstructed in their approximate original locations. The highwall will be completely backfilled, <br />with the natural sandstone outcrop which forms a near vertical face above the portals to remain <br />undisturbed. The existing cut slope along the south side of the mine bench area will be cut back a <br />short distance to tie in with the backfill, and ensure a stable configuration. Stability analyses <br />performed by the operator indicate that the reclaimed slopes will achieve the required 1.3 factor of <br />safety. <br />The Division has previously approved a variance from the general grading requirements of <br />4.14.2 for reclamation to approximate original contour because the requirements of 4.27.1 and 4.27.4 <br />have been met. Please see Section B.VII of this document. <br />XI. Revegetation — Rule 4.15 <br />Baseline vegetation information can be found in Section 4.5 of the application, and the <br />revegetation plan is addressed in Section 3.4. Affected vegetation types include juniper woodland <br />in the vicinity of the portal bench and upper road segment, shadscale shrubland along the middle <br />segment of the portal haul road, and greasewood shrubland in the office, sediment pond, and lower <br />portal haul road and McClane to Munger haul road areas. A separate seedmix will be planted upon <br />final reclamation within each of the vegetation types, as delineated on Figure 3.1-1. Each of the <br />seedmixes is composed of a diverse mix of warm and cool season grasses, forbs, and shrubs, the <br />majority of which are native species (Tables 3.4-1a, 3.4-1b, and 3.4-1c). <br />A weed control plan pursuant to new Rule 4.15.1(5) was incorporated into Section 4.5.14 <br />of the permit narrative via TR -15, in 2006. The plan, developed in consultation with the Garfield <br />County Weed Control Supervisor, addresses control of the noxious weeds whitetop and Canada <br />thistle on disturbed sites in the permit area, and also addresses control of downy brome (cheatgrass) <br />on the topsoil stockpile. <br />The following specific findings are required. <br />