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Page 7 of 73 <br /> Loadout Facilities are illustrated on Map 16 and Coal Handling Facilities are detailed on Map 17 <br /> of the PAP. <br /> A rail spur and loop is approved for the Fruita Loadout as shown on permit Map 21 of the PAP. <br /> The spur and loop have not yet been constructed; however, the Union Pacific line, which the rail <br /> spur will tie into, runs parallel to US Highway 6 & 50, immediately north of the permit area. <br /> The applicant has been approved to construct a spur from the line, with a 120-foot open deck <br /> bridge crossing Reed Wash, and a rail loop which passes through the facilities area where the <br /> coal will be loaded. Specifications for construction of the rail portions, provided by Union <br /> Pacific Railroad, are featured in Exhibit 16 of the PAP. Approximately 2.1 miles of rail line will <br /> be constructed. <br /> All approved surface disturbances associated with the unit train loadout will occur during the <br /> initial construction of the facility. The area approved to be disturbed is shown on the Mine <br /> Facilities Map No. 3, 4, and 19 of the PAP. The previously disturbed areas are shown on Map <br /> 19 of the PAP. <br /> The Billings soil at the site is dominantly `unsuitable' due to high salinity and sodicity; however, <br /> it is the only native, non-disturbed soil material on the project area and it supports the <br /> greasewood vegetation community. The upper 6 inches of soil will be salvaged and stockpiled in <br /> two stockpiles, one on either side of Reed Wash. <br /> The reclamation plan is to remove all buildings, support facilities and the rail road spur. All <br /> areas will be graded to approximate original contour with topsoil being replaced on areas from <br /> which it was salvaged. Six inches of cover fill salvaged from the loadout construction will be <br /> replaced on industrial areas. Areas designated with a post mining land use of rangeland/fish and <br /> wildlife habitat will be topsoiled and seeded with native species and mulched. Areas designated <br /> as industrial will be covered with an additional 3 inches of ballast and sub-ballast salvaged from <br /> the reclaimed rail road bed. Weeds that are on the State `A' list and the Mesa County noxious <br /> weed list will be aggressively managed during the operation and reclamation phases of the <br /> operation. <br /> Section 2.04.7(3) of the permit application contains a discussion of the water rights in the permit <br /> area and adjacent area and a discussion of the alternative water supplies. Map 18, "Water Rights <br /> Location" of the PAP, shows the locations of the water rights. <br /> There are a total of 34 water rights listed in the PAP for the permit area and the adjacent area. <br /> Due primarily to distance from the proposed loadout disturbances, water rights sites located <br /> upgradient of the proposed disturbances, sediment control at the loadout, and the dilution effect <br /> of the Colorado River, it is not anticipated that the proposed loadout disturbance will injure any <br /> water rights in the permit and adjacent areas. <br /> There are three water rights within the permit area. The operator owns two water rights while a <br /> third water right is listed as being abandoned by the court. The operator remains committed to <br /> obtaining the third water right at some time after the application would be approved. <br /> West of the permit area are three water rights. Two are comprised of six springs, but are on the <br /> west side of Loma Drain and are hydraulically separated from the planned loadout disturbances. <br />