2022-05-04_REVISION - C1981018 (9)

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The coal refuse disposal site meets general site requirements of Section 4.10. It is located on some of the most moderately sloping and naturally stable areas available. Additional problems are circumvented in that slopes are less than specified for valley or head-of-hollow fill. The hydrologic study of the disposal site indicated that springs and perennial water courses are absent in the area; and the geotechnical investigation for the disposal site indicated that there is no ground water present. Holes were drilled to 44 feet deep in the lowest part of the Refuse Disposal Area and no water was found. See Illustration 21. Thus, underdrain systems to prevent infiltration of water into the refuse bank were not required. The Refuse Disposal Area is sub-divided into 12 sub-areas. Experience with the refuse has shown that more than one sub-area must be used at a time to allow drying of the refuse prior to compacting in lifts. Drying becomes a particularly difficult problem during the winter months. It is anticipated that about 120 acres may be in use at any one time. The first sub-area to be opened was RP-1. RP-2/3 had to be opened in 1985 due to the length of time the coal refuse took to dry before it could be compacted into lifts. RP-4 was opened in 1990 and RP-5A was opened in 1994. In 1998, through TR-42, it was approved to combine the sub-area RP-2/3 and RP-4. This would prolong the life of the refuse pile by giving an additional 274 acre-feet of storage capacity, delay opening of the next refuse pile, eliminate construction and maintenance of two permanent ditches i.e., RP-2/3 west ditch and RP-4 east ditch and result in an easier and more cost effective reclamation of these areas. Map 150 shows the configuration of the combined pit. The existing Ponds RP-2/3 and RP-4 were deepened to contain the 10-year, 24-hour event, and the spillways are adequate to pass the 25-year, 24-hour event. See Maps 79 and 80 and Illustration 44 for SEDCAD runs for ditches, revised ponds, and culvert design. In April, 2020 TR-74 was proposed to facilitate the combination of RP 2/3/4 and RP 5A into RP 2/3/4/5. See Maps 165 and 166 in addition to Illustration 62 for SEDCAD runs for ditches and revised ponds. As the other active areas near capacity, a new disposal sub-area will need to be developed. RP-A is a proposed sub-area located south of the haul road and east of the overland belt and is shown on Maps 76, and 162. The sub-area is a shorter haul and will result in reduces haulage time and less fuel consumption. See Maps 162, 162A and 163 and Illustrations 59 and 60 for SEDCAD runs for ditches, revised ponds, and culvert design. In general, as a subarea becomes full, it will be closed and the reclamation will be completed as the subarea adjacent to it is opened. However, more than two subareas may be open at the same time if the refuse handling need (drying and compacting) dictates. As specified in the black-footed ferret reintroduction and management plan, surveys for black-footed ferrets are no longer required of the operator. Federal and state agencies cooperating in ferret recovery have assumed responsibility for conducting appropriate clearance surveys. However, BME is encouraged to continue to appraise BLM and DRMS of surface use activities that may influence ferrets or ferret habitat. The cooperating agencies also encourage BME to participate as an active partner in ongoing ferret TR-74 (4/2022) IV-16