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erosion problem is minimal, lazgely because the distance between the road and the creek allows most <br />of the sediment to fall out of suspension prior to the run off reaching the creek. <br />Coal and Dutch Creeks, as well as their tributaries, aze prone to moving great amounts of sediment <br />annually. This is due to the natural geologic and hydrologic characteristics of Coal Basin. As a result, <br />the channels tend to migrate over time, frequently abandoning old channels and establishing new ones. <br />These processes allow for the removal and deposition of sediment within the stream systems. It is <br />because of these processes that Coal and Dutch Creeks carry a noticeably significant amount of <br />sediment annually. <br />The Dutch Creek Diversion was built to be an active, migrating channel, mimicking the natural stream <br />tendencies found in Coal Basin. As a result, migration of the channel is expected to occur over time. <br />When the channel moves, generally during intense summer rain storms, but periodically due to spring <br />runoff, both erosional and depositional processes will occur within the channel. Some release of <br />sediment from the channel is expected to occur during these events. <br />The Sutey Refuse Disposal Area is located on public lands managed by the White River National <br />Forest, while portions of the Old Disposal Area, the Waste Rock Disposal Area and a portion of the <br />Coal Creek access road aze located on both public and private lands. The disposal azeas facilities have <br />been reclaimed, and sediment generation issues aze not foreseen to occur at these locations. The Coal <br />Creek access road is relatively level and stable. Erosion of the road and resultant sediment delivery to <br />Coal Creek is not an issue of concern. <br />None of the permanent, mining related structures and facilities poses a risk to the public or the <br />environment. Some amount of sediment generation is expected to occur along the main road system <br />and in the Dutch Creek Diversion. Most of the sediment generated along the roadway is not <br />anticipated to reach Dutch Creek. Some of the sediment generated from within the Dutch Creek <br />Diversion will migrate from the site during severe summer rain storms and periodically during spring <br />snow melt. However, the relative amount of sediment expected to move off site is minimal when <br />compazed to the total volume of sediment moving through the system as a result of natural processes <br />occurring higher in the basin. <br />Therefore, it can be concluded that the mining related structures and facilities remaining at the site do <br />not pose a risk of harm to the public or to the environment at this time. <br />V. Sediment and Erosion Control <br />Reclamation of the Coal Basin Mine has succeeded in reducing sediment contribution from mining- <br />related disturbances to Coal and Dutch Creeks. The fifteen mile long mine haul road system and the <br />Coal Basin Mine Reduced Inspection Frequency September 10, 2007 <br />9 <br />