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line. The coal in the mine pit area dipped approximately 18 to 25%. A single dragline operated <br /> alternately within the north and south areas. The Wadge coal seam was mined in all four pits from <br /> the crop line to approximately 100 feet in depth. Auger mining was conducted within certain final <br /> Wadge pit locations in the original permit area. <br /> Mining in the south extension area was approved in PR2. Development of this area proceeded directly <br /> from the final cut in the A pit. Mining was constrained by the rapid increase in overburden depth <br /> as mining progressed away from the crop line. <br /> The Sage Creek/Wolf Creek pit development proceeded pit by pit from south to north within the <br /> South Extension Area. Dragline operations within the South Extension Area alternated between the <br /> Wadge and Wolf Creek/Sage Creek pit areas. Highwall miner operations were proposed with PR4 for <br /> final Wadge Pit highwall locations and various Wolf Creek/Sage Creek pit locations of the South <br /> Extension Area,but the plans were not implemented and were withdrawn by PR5. <br /> During the period of active mining operations,reclamation was conducted concurrently with mining, <br /> with the exception of approved variance areas where backfilling was delayed to accommodate <br /> proposed auger mining, highwall mining, or other site specific considerations. Due to the nature of <br /> the mining plan and the operational history, the application includes a request for a variance from <br /> the contemporaneous reclamation requirements of Rule 4.14. The generalized reclamation sequence <br /> in place during active operations is described below. <br /> Topsoil was removed and stockpiled or, when possible, live handled. Following topsoil removal, the <br /> overburden was blasted. Using the dragline, initial box cut spoil was placed onto previously <br /> stripped but unmined ground creating a temporary overburden stockpile, with each successive cut <br /> going into the previous pit after coal was removed. The resulting spoils were graded to <br /> approximate original contour, topsoiled and seeded. Permanent postmine drainage channels were <br /> constructed in accordance with approved design specifications. Within scattered designated locations, <br /> areas of one to two acres in size received concentrated planting and seeding of native shrubs and <br /> seeding of native fortis. Several of the designated areas were also planted with aspen saplings. To <br /> minimize competition between the relatively quick developing and competitive grasses and the <br /> slower growing woody plants grasses were not seeded within these locations. A number of the <br /> concentrated tree/shrub areas were fenced to protect woody plantings from excessive browsing by <br /> large ungulates. The revegetation plan associated with PR3 included a commitment and detailed <br /> design plans for an aspen reestablishment study evaluating the feasibility of transplanting native aspen <br /> saplings with variable soil treatments and irrigation application rates. Results of the study have been <br /> incorporated into the permit application package, as Appendix 22-3 to Tab 22, Revegetation Plan. <br /> No crushing, screening or washing of coal was conducted, and as such, the operation did not <br /> produce coal processing waste. Non coal waste is disposed of offsite at an approved dump site. <br /> All disturbed area runoff is controlled, treated and conveyed throughout the site to ensure <br /> compliance with applicable laws. Sediment pond 006 provides sediment control for disturbance <br /> within the south portion of the original mine permit area. Ponds 005 and 009 treat runoff primarily in <br /> the northern portion of the original mine permit area. Sediment ponds 015, 016, and 017 treat the <br /> runoff from the southern extension area. <br /> Backfilling and grading operations were completed during 2007 within the Wolf Creek/Sage Creek <br /> block, and portions of the Wadge mining areas in the Pond 016 and Pond 017 watersheds. The <br /> mine entrance road, Haul Road A, and all remaining haul roads in the South Extension Area will <br /> be reduced to postmining configuration, for permanent retention(A,J and segments of K and L). <br /> Drainage channel construction, topsoil redistribution, and revegetation operations were conducted <br /> Page 9 of 37 <br />