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are approved as permanent structures. Runoff from the RPEE will go to the RPE ponds. <br /> The East RPE will be reclaimed progressively as successive benches are constructed <br /> IX. Coal Mine Waste <br /> 1. The Division proposes to approve a plan for extinguishing coal mine waste fires. <br /> This plan has been approved by MSHA and contains provisions about who will be <br /> involved in the extinguishing operations (4.11.1). The plan can be found in Exhibit <br /> 65 of the PAP. <br /> 2. No coal mine waste from the West Elk Mine is proposed to be returned to <br /> underground workings (4.11.3). <br /> 3. Disposal of non-coal waste will be handled as required (4.11.4). <br /> 4. No dams or embankments constructed of coal mine waste have been or are <br /> proposed to be constructed(4.11.5). <br /> X. Backfilling and Grading <br /> The Backfilling and Grading plan can be found throughout Section 2.05.4. Exhibit 54 <br /> of the permit document contains detailed information regarding abandonment and <br /> sealing of portals. Maps 58, 58A, 5813, and 59 show post-mining topography. <br /> During the course of MCC's study of the original West Elk lease property and the <br /> Jumbo Mountain lease area, numerous slope failures and rock falls were identified. <br /> Landslides and rockfalls identified during their study are delineated on Map 32 and <br /> 32A. However, MCC also observed that it believes such slope problems would have a <br /> minimal effect on the operation and these areas can be stabilized or removed when the <br /> facility is built. <br /> In order to judge the credibility of MCC's statements regarding slope stability, the <br /> Division requested the submittal of supporting information. MCC responded by <br /> submitting a report prepared by Geo-Hydro Consultants, Inc., entitled "Landslide Study, <br /> Geo-Hydro Consultants, Mt. Gunnison No. 1 Mine," included within the permit <br /> document in Exhibit 14. This report, prepared in conformance with the current <br /> state-of-the-art, includes design recommendations for the surface facilities to be <br /> constructed within the landslide deposit delineated in the surface facility area of the <br /> West Elk Mine site. One of the design recommendations forwarded within the report is <br /> the installation of a dewatering system consisting of horizontally inclined dewatering <br /> wells installed throughout the affected area, specifically within the portal bench and <br /> access road. Specific engineering design plans for this system have been included <br /> within the permit document. In addition, intricate bin-wall retaining structures were <br /> subsequently included within the design documents in the permit section. <br /> The area of the surface facilities has been the focus of historic and recent landslide <br /> activity. The Division required MCC to demonstrate,through appropriate geotechnical <br /> analyses, that the proposed backfilled surfaces would satisfy the required static slope <br /> 53 <br />