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Creek Facilities area is shown by the Facilities Postmining Topography Map, (Maps 2. <br /> 05-M6) and the Post mining Cross-Sections, (Map 2. 05-M7). The backfilling and <br /> regrading plan for this area is based on the following objectives and constraints: <br /> • Backfilling will be limited to those areas where fill is necessary to stabilize <br /> exposed highwall areas,provide sufficient cover over demolition debris, or <br /> achieve effective drainage. Fill material will be placed and compacted by <br /> equipment traffic to approximately 80 percent of maximum dry density. <br /> • Final grading plans are designed to establish slope gradients consistent with <br /> upgradient natural slopes but not exceeding 2H.•I V, unless features of the natural <br /> topography dictate otherwise. Final grading will be conducted, to the extent <br /> operationally feasible, along the contour to minimize subsequent erosion and <br /> instability. Final grading will eliminate any large depressions that could <br /> impound water. <br /> • Highwall areas will be backfilled and graded to blend with adjacent undisturbed <br /> slopes and reclaimed areas. The Somerset Mine B and C Seam portals were <br /> sealed and backfilled in 1986 and associated face-up areas have already been <br /> backfilled and graded. Final grading activities for the Elk Creek Facilities area <br /> will not redisturb these regraded areas. <br /> • Because the source of the material used to construct the Elk Creek Mine portal <br /> bench was a natural landslide above the portal area, all of the bench material <br /> cannot be utilized in establishment of the design postmining topography for the <br /> Elk Creek Mine facilities area and it cannot be replaced in its original location in <br /> a stable configuration. For this reason, approximately 72,000 cubic yards of <br /> bench material will be hauled down-valley from the Elk Creek Mine facilities <br /> area and placed in the Elk Creek surface facilities area as supplemental fill. <br /> Inclusion of this supplemental fill is reflected in the design postmining <br /> topography and cross-sections. <br /> Portions of existing bench areas may be retained, if compatible with the postmining <br /> topography and reclamation objectives, to control runoff and direct surface flows to <br /> reestablished drainages. Where portions of benches are retained, bench crests will be <br /> rounded and the resulting cut material will be pushed downslope to reduce overall <br /> outslope gradients. Bench outslopes will generally be less than 50 feet in length, so <br /> contour furrows or other runoff control measures will not be necessary. The combination <br /> ofshort slope lengths and limited drainage areas will result in stable slopes when <br /> revegetated. <br /> The Elk Creek culvert will be removed, except for two short sections to be retained or <br /> replaced for the Sanborn Creek and Elk Creek Roads. The culvert will be excavated, <br /> removed, and hauled off-site for disposal. Following culvert removal, the corresponding <br /> segments of the Elk Creek channel will be reconstructed. Channel reconstruction will <br /> involve grading to establish the design postmining channel configuration as illustrated <br /> C-1981-022,SL-1 Page 6 of 19 <br />