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<br /> <br />Should most of the waste eventually be disposed of on the surface, <br />approximately 600 acres covered to a depth of 40 feet could possibly be <br />required. Surface restoration is discussed later in this section. <br />All applicable regulations concerning refuse disposal will be followed (30 CFR <br />817). These regulations are administered by OSM. <br />lution Controls <br />There are numerous regulations concerning pollution of air, water, soils, etc. <br />These regulations are administered by Mine Safety and Health Administration <br />(MSHA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and OSM. All of <br />these, as well as other applicable laws and regulations, will be followed. <br />Water. It is estimated that 345 million gallons per year of water would be <br />used. Some of these water requirements for mining operations would be <br />obtained from water developed and pumped from the mine. The water will be <br />recycled through the wash plant. No water would enter receiving waters. <br />Noise. Noise would be at a minimum and within legal standards with most <br />operations taking place underground using electric machinery. All known <br />precautions in sound suppression will be used in the surface plant and loading <br />equipment. Such equipment is not extremely noisy. <br />Fire. No special surface fire hazards would be encountered. Standard state <br />and federal fire safety procedures would be followed. <br />Soil Erosion. This would be a minor factor in an underground mine. Roadways <br />will be properly drained and provision made to channel the infrequent runoff <br />from rain and snow into the existing drainage pattern without erosion. <br />Planting of native grasses and trees or approved introduced species and <br />concrete asphalt surfacing will be used where appropriate to prevent erosion. <br />Air. Air pollution can develop from dust. Coal moving from the mine will be <br />sprayed with water and dust suppressant chemicals. The coal will flow <br />through the wash plant wet and be loaded from silos into trucks or rail cars <br />in a damp state. <br />Roads may be surfaced or sprayed with water supplements to prevent dust <br />emissions caused by vehicular traffic pursuant to projected dust emissions and <br />applicable regulatory requirements. <br />Surface Restoration <br />Post mining use of this area has not been specifically designated by the BLM <br />as the management agency for the public lands. Since mine life is projected <br />to be 40 years, it is not feasible to specify a specific use that far in the <br />future. For the present it is assumed current use -- livestock grazing, <br />wildlife habitat, and general recreation will continue. Surface restoration <br />will be under the supervision of OSM (30 CFR 715). <br />2-20 <br />