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An environmental monitoring system will be installed, maintained, and operated by the permittee <br /> on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation operations and continued <br /> until all bonds are released in accordance with Rule 3 (Rule 4.24.4). <br /> XXIII. Operations on Steep Slopes—Limited Variances—Rule 4.27.4 <br /> The operations conducted at the Mine are found to be in full compliance with Rules 4.27.4 and <br /> 2.06.5. <br /> With the approval of Permit Revision No. 2 (PR-02) in June 1992, the Division approved a <br /> limited variance from approximate original contour for the South Taylor Pit. This variance is for <br /> areas with slopes of 20 percent or greater. <br /> The Division has not authorized the retention of a highwall remnant for the South Taylor Pit. <br /> The highwall will be ripped and dozed to a 3h:ly slope to blend in to the approved post-mining <br /> topography. <br /> Colowyo will be reducing steep slopes (20 percent and greater) along the perimeter of the South <br /> Taylor Pit to no more than 3h:Iv. These reduced slopes will decrease the peak flows from runoff <br /> from precipitation and snow melt, thereby reducing the contribution of suspended solids to the <br /> receiving streams. The watershed will, thereby, be improved. More detail can be found in the <br /> PAP in Section 4.27 and on Maps 18A and 19B, the pre-mining topography and the post-mining <br /> topography, respectively. <br /> Land above the highwall will only be disturbed to rip and grade the highwall to blend with the <br /> backfilled and regraded pit and to achieve highwall reduction. This reduction will also help to <br /> control surface water runoff by diverting the water into an approved post-mining drainage <br /> channel. No temporary overburden storage is planned for above the highwall. <br /> The lands where the variance is being requested are owned by both Colowyo and the BLM. <br /> Both Colowyo and the BLM have requested, in writing, that the variance be granted. <br /> Colowyo is not planning on retaining any spoil material on the highwall bench. <br /> Mining and reclamation activities for the Collom area will predominantly occur on slopes that <br /> are less than 20 degrees, and Rule 4.27 is not applicable for this part of the mine. <br /> Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance January 5,2023 <br /> Permit Renewal No. 8 Page 160 <br />