Laserfiche WebLink
long steep slopes below the mine entry areas were the principle contributors of sediment to Coal and <br />Dutch Creeks. <br />Road System Reclamation <br />Reclamation of the road system was designed so that erosion potential from the road surface and from <br />the fill slopes located immediately below the roads was minimized. During reclamation construction, <br />all of the culverts along the haul roads were removed, the road surfaces were graded to minimize the <br />distance and velocity of overland surface water flows, and the fill slope lengths were reduced. <br />Numerous water carrying dips were created to move drainage from the cut to fill sides of the road <br />network without allowing for a great accumulation of water. The road surfaces were severely ripped <br />and then seeded. The result of these activities is a roughened, well vegetated surface suitable for <br />hiking, horseback riding and, in some cases, mountain bike riding. Erosion and sedimentation from <br />the road system is now negligible. However, one area neaz the former location of the Mine 3 coal <br />loadout is experiencing some gully development. This azea is scheduled for maintenance in the <br />summer of 2007. With the minor exception noted above, no significant tilling or gullying is occurring <br />at the reclaimed portions of the Coal Basin Mine. Reclamation work has stabilized the unreclaimed <br />portions of the mine site, and has reduced sediment contribution to Coal and Dutch Creeks to an <br />acceptable rate which does not affect the post-mining land-use of rangeland or that negatively affects <br />the environment. <br />Mine Bench Outslope Stabilization <br />The mine bench outslopes are long, steep unconsolidated slopes that extend from the mine entry azeas <br />down slope. Many are uninterrupted slopes, while two are traversed by the haul road network. Seven <br />mine bench outslope features existed at Coal Basin. Stabilization work at these locations involved <br />diversion and dispersion of up-slope water that contributed to the erosion problem, and establishment <br />of a vegetative cover at or neaz the base of the individual outslopes. <br />Diversion and dispersion of the up-slope water played a significant role in stabilizing the slopes. <br />Additionally, four of the outslopes have been successfully stabilized by establishment of a vegetative <br />cover. Sediment from a fifth slope is trapped at the base of the outslope by vegetation established <br />during reclamation efforts. Sediment from the two remaining slopes is partially retained by vegetation <br />established at the base of these slopes. Additional revegetation efforts may be undertaken at these two <br />locations in an effort to further reduce sediment contributions from these areas. These aze extremely <br />difficult areas on which to establish vegetation; therefore, successful establishment of a greater cover <br />may not be possible. No significant rills or gullies have formed to the degree that would affect the <br />post-mining land-use of rangeland / wildlife habitat, or which would negatively affect the <br />environment. <br />Coal Basin Mine Reduced Inspection Frequency September 10, 2007 <br />10 <br />