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Toooeraohv and Geolo <br />Impacts to topography will occur from the construction of surface facilities, <br />roads, a waste rock pile, and a coal processing waste pile. In addition, <br />movement of existing landslides could be triggered by mining activities. To <br />mitigate these impacts the applicant has prepared engineering designs to <br />enhance stability, and the state has placed stipulations on the permit <br />approval. State Stipulation 6 requires WECC to submit a plan limiting <br />extraction beneath the waste pile and a buffer zone around it prior to <br />disturbance at the waste pile site. State Stipulation 7 requires that prior <br />to any disturbance at the waste pile site monitoring of any movement (tilt <br />meter tubes) downslope of the toe of the waste pile be established. Should <br />landslide deposits be encountered their extent and nature must be defined. If <br />landslide activity is discerned, the pile must be redesigned prior to any <br />construction activity. <br />State Stipulations 8 and 9 require surface-and-groundwater monitoring near the <br />coal waste pile, and should a colluvial aquifer develop, the piezometric <br />surface must be defined. <br />State Stipulations 10 and 11 require geologic mapping of the waste pile access <br />corridor, and design based on the mapping results. The mapping and design are <br />to be approved by Colorado MLRD. In addition the road is to be constructed as <br />a pioneer roadway. The final design is to be prepared utilizing this <br />information, and approved by Colorado MLRD before construction. <br />Impacts to the topography will consist of the addition of a 160 foot deep <br />permanent waste stockpile. Landslide movements could be increased due to <br />subsidence and Construction activities. Designs and limitations on coal <br />extraction operations are to be implemented to minimize these impacts. <br />Surface disturbance other than the waste pile and coal waste pile will be <br />backfilled to approximate original topography. Impacts to topography will not <br />be significant. <br />Air Quality <br />Impacts to air quality will continue. Total suspended particulates will <br />remain somewhat elevated in the facilities area. Visibility is the immediate <br />vicinity of the facilities area will be reduced. However, the impacts to the <br />regional and local air quality are not significant. <br />Soils <br />Topsoil has been stripped from disturbed area. The operator will redistribute <br />12 to 18 inches of topsoil over the disturbed areas during reclamation. Three <br />areas vary from this plan. The Bear stockpile storage area does not have <br />topsoil stripped since it was disturbed prior to 1977, but will have 12 inches <br />of suitable growth medium redistributed. The waste pile (upper) and the coal <br />waste pile (lower) will have 4 feet of suitable plant growth medium and <br />topsoil redistributed on them. The deep colluvial soils in the vicinity of <br />the waste pile areas will be the source of this topsoil and subsoil. <br />-5- <br />