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Prime Farmland Investigation-Section 2.04.12 of the permit <br /> The NRCS has identified one soils mapping unit within the NHN permit area to be "prime <br /> farmland if irrigated." This mapping unit, 71 -Nyswonger silty clay loam, appears in two <br /> locations, totaling 1.46 acres on permit Map 2.04.9-1, NRCS Soils Map. The "Rice Tract" site is <br /> located on the eastern edge of the permit area, immediately north of the area mined and <br /> previously reclaimed under the New Horizon Mine permit C-1981-008. This area was <br /> redisturbed by mining and reclamation activities under the NHN permit. The second site, "Tuttle <br /> Draw", is found at the southern end of the equipment corridor, at Tuttle Draw. Detailed maps of <br /> the two sites are provided as permit Maps 2.04.12-1 and 2.04.12-2, respectively. Neither of <br /> these locations have a history of having been irrigated or cropped. In a letter dated May 8, 2009, <br /> the NRCS issued a negative determination for the presence of prime farmland at the "Rice Tract" <br /> location. <br /> Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plans <br /> Operation Plan <br /> Mining at NHN utilized surface mining methods. Development activities began in 2013 with the <br /> construction of the mine's surface facilities, including the buildings, necessary portions of the <br /> haul roads, and necessary pond(s). Map 2.05.2-1 of the permit shows the features of the site, <br /> including the anticipated progression of the mine from south to north. Topsoil was stripped from <br /> the southern portion of the permit area, and stockpiled as shown on Map 2.05.4(2)(d)-2. <br /> Stockpiling of soils was necessary only during the initial phases of mining. Live haul and <br /> replacement of soils was used as the active pit progressed to the north. <br /> Individual pit cuts were oriented east-west,with mining having commenced at the south and <br /> moving northward. Individual panels ranged between 100 and 120 feet in width and lengths <br /> approaching 2200 feet. Removal of the topsoil from an area to be mined exposed the overburden <br /> that will be removed. The upper overburden, or "Bench 1" is unconsolidated, and is generally <br /> "free-dug" by the mine's shovel without the need for blasting. The Bench I overburden was <br /> loaded into trucks and hauled to the back of the pit for placement in the uppermost overburden <br /> level of the backfilled pit. The replaced Bench I material directly underlay all topsoil <br /> redistributed. The lower overburden consists of shales and sandstone, which required blasting in <br /> order to remove it. Overburden was removed by bulldozer or a shovel and trucks after an area <br /> was drilled and shot. An ANFO slurry was the primary agent used in blasting. All shots were <br /> monitored with seismographs located at structures nearest to the blast. Blasting schedules were <br /> published in the local newspaper. Most blasting occurred mid-day early in the week. Daily <br /> notifications were made prior to each blast to certain individuals who have requested this service. <br /> Haul roads, as shown on Map 2.05.3(3)-3, were constructed within the disturbed area. Removal <br /> of the coal resource commenced in 2013. The primary coal seam recovered was the Lower <br /> Dakota seam. The Upper Dakota seam was recovered if it was thick enough and of sufficient <br /> quality. The rate of coal production, which supplied Tri-State Generating and Transmission <br /> Association's Nucla Station, was approved to be 250,000 to 460,000 tons per year. For the years <br /> 14 <br />