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New Elk Mine (C-1981-012) —MT8 <br />back into operation. The East Portal, the East Portal vent shaft, two portals at the West Mine, the West Mine <br />vent shaft, and the Upper Apache Canyon vent shaft were reopened in 2010 to allow access of employees <br />and materials as well as ventilation airways. Two portal entries at the West Mine were resealed in 2010. <br />Upon reclamation, the bench areas at the mine will be graded to the approximate original contour. The <br />disturbed areas will be topsoiled (depending on the area) or ripped, then seeded and mulched to establish a <br />vegetative cover of a variety consistent with surrounding vegetation. The stream channel diversion of the <br />Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River, which was approved under Permit Revision #1, is permanent and will <br />remain as constructed. Monitoring has demonstrated that this work was successful and the reconstructed <br />channel is stable. <br />Topsoil was salvaged from the disturbed area above the Refuse Disposal Area (RDA) during each <br />successive movement of the clean water diversion ditch above the RDA. This material was used in the <br />reclamation of the current lower benches of the RDA. TR75 approved in October of 2020 defined a borrow <br />area where cover material will be obtained should operations at the RDA terminate earlier than anticipated <br />by the operation. <br />A topsoil borrow area in the West Mine area, in addition to stockpiled topsoil, will be used to reclaim the <br />areas of the existing and proposed surface facilities. Due to previous disturbance prior to the enactment of <br />the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act, very little topsoil is available for use during <br />reclamation of areas previously disturbed. Permitted disturbed areas, underlain by refuse, whether pre -law <br />or post -law, will receive topsoil prior to re -seeding and mulching. Permitted disturbed areas not on refuse <br />material will be ripped prior to reseeding and mulching. See Maps 15 and 16 for specific identification of <br />these two types of disturbed areas. <br />The post -mining land use is rangeland for most of the disturbed area and wildlife habitat (upland and riparian) <br />for the remainder of the disturbed area. These land uses are compatible with the surrounding uses. The <br />proximity of the mine site to the Purgatoire River and the heavily forested areas to the south indicate a high <br />probability of wildlife use following reclamation. Riparian vegetation, as well as the use of native grasses and <br />shrubs, is planned. <br />Operations at the Jansen Loadout are limited to the weighing of coal trucks, unloading and stockpiling <br />of coal, and conveying and loading of coal into unit trains. The operator estimates that 24,000 tons of <br />coal can be stored at the site. The operator is approved to utilize covered coal conveyors and water <br />spray to minimize fugitive dust. Storm water runoff is handled by the existing grade and a series of <br />ditches and small sumps. One small fuel tank is approved to be stored at the site. DRMS requires the <br />posting of mine identification signs at the entrance to the site on the west side and around the perimeter. <br />The pre -mining and post -mining land use at the Jansen Load out is industrial. When the Jansen Loadout is no <br />longer necessary for loading on coal, all structures, except those specifically identified in Attachment 2 of <br />Exhibit 40 for permanent retention, will be removed and the site will be graded and returned to a rail siding for <br />use by the landowner. <br />