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<br />Seneca II W Mine; po. 2 <br />We stopped next at the south extension area above pond 16 and 16A. Final graded slopes in this <br />area will be topsoiled down to the reconstructed drainway beginning this week or next. This <br />essentially means the areas approved for disturbance and scheduled for final backfilling and <br />grading for both 2005 and 2006 have backfilling and grading completed, and will be topsoiled <br />this year. <br />The current brush line in the aspen stand establishing the topsoil removal ahead of the active pit <br />in the south extension area (Wolf Creek-Sage Creek mining area) will be sufficient for 2005 coal <br />removal activity. Rough backfilling and grading is also contemporaneous inthe active mining <br />area. <br />We stopped at another aspen plot that has been instrumented by the CSU forestry department and <br />will be monitored full time during the 2005 growing season. This concluded the evaluation. <br />SCC should be commended for bringing in additional equipment and manpower to accelerate <br />their approved backfilling and grading schedule to accommodate the decision to forgo highwall <br />mining in the Wadge Pit final cuts; and ensure the entire mine is contemporaneously graded and <br />reclaimed to facilitate SCC's decision to phase out mining operations here during 2005 to 2006. <br />Please address any questions concerning this evaluation report to Henry Austin, Senior <br />Reclamation Specialist, at haustin@osmre.dov or to (303) 844-1400 x1466. <br />