2020-06-25_REVISION - C1981019 (6)

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RULE 2 PERMITS 2.06 PERMIT REQUIREMENTS- SPECIAL MINING CATEGORIES 2.06.1-3 Scope,Experimental Mining, and Mountain Top Removal There will be no experimental mining practices at the South Taylor or Lower Wilson pits. 2.06.4 Steep Slope Mining The steep slope mining procedures specified in Rule 2.06.4(2) will not be applicable to the South Taylor Mining Area; however, Colowyo will be requesting a variance from approximate original contour for steep slope mining in accordance with Rule 2.06.5 as outlined in the following section. 2.06.5 Variance from Approximate Original Contour Restoration Requirements The South Taylor mining area will include non-mountaintop removal steep slope surface coal mining and reclamation operations, where the operation is not to be reclaimed to achieve the approximate original contour as required in Rules 4.14.1-4.14.6 and 4.27.3. Therefore, Colowyo is requesting a variance from approximate original contour in the post-mining topography (PMT). This is due to the fact that steep slopes will not remain steep slopes in the post-mining topography. However, the PMT will reflect the pre-mining topography generally, with drainages and drainage divides remaining in their approximate current locations. Post-mining topography is shown on Map 19B. The PMT was designed by Norwest Corporation based on the Divisionrules for Operations on Steep Slopes as discussed in Section 4.27 of this document. 2.06.5 (2) (a) Post-Mining Land Use Post-mining land use (agricultural/rangeland) will be enhanced by the PMT since the reduced slopes will allow an increase in forage, will decrease erosion, and will tend to modulate surface-water runoff. Rangeland is the current and only post-mining use of the land. The written request by Colowyo for this variance is included in the cover letter. 2.06.5 (2) (b) Consultation with Planning Agencies The land to be mined is owned by Colowyo and the Bureau of Land Management. Therefore, consultation from land-use planning agencies is not applicable. 2.06.5 (2) (c)Alternative Postmining Land Uses Rangeland is the current and only post-mining use of the land. 2.06.5 (2) (d)Watershed Improvements The reduced slopes of the PMT will decrease erosion and control surface-water runoff, therefore, reducing the total suspended solids and other pollutants discharged to ground and surface waters from the permit area. The total volume of flows from the permit area will not vary in a way that adversely affects the ecology. Approval from environmental agencies is not applicable. South Taylor/Lower Wilson—Rule 2,Page 85 Revision Date: 6/22/20 Revision No.: MR-220