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-7- 4. Please provide a detailed description of how the mine portals will be backfilled and sealed. We have included an exerpt from a recently approved application addressing backfilling and sealing of the mine portals. The sealing of these portals should be accomplished in compliance with Rule 4.07.3. 5. Page 3 of Exhibit L specifies reclaimed slopes will be graded to 3h :1 v. Blue Flame should provide a discussion as to whether or not this reclaimed slope approximates original contours. 6. Exhibit L discusses the need to import topsoil to the site since no soil medium was salvaged when mining commenced over 40 years ago. The most likely place topsoil will be obtained is from the plateau directly south of the mine. Please be advised that if this is in fact Blue Flame's intention, the topsoil extraction area on top of this plateau will need to be permitted and addressed in the application. The Division suggests two alternatives to topsoil extraction from Mr. Huntington's property. a. The 4840 cu. yds. of topsoil needed to retopsoil three acres to a depth of one foot will be obtained from a local contractor in the area. More than likely, one of the local sand and gravel producers will be able to provide this medium. This will allow Blue Flame to not have to worry about permitting and reclaiming the topsoil extraction area. b. There will not be any importation of topsoil to the site. Instead, Blue Flame will commit to covering the site with fine material from the bench area that will be analyzed for fertilizer requirements. This will require a discussion from a reputable soil scientist addressing the current soils on the bench and the practices to be instituted by Blue Flame to return the compacted bench material into a suitable plant growth medium. Blue Flame should modify page 3, Exhibit L to reflect the change in topsoil management. 7. Page 4 of Exhibit L specifies "grazing will be prevented in the reclaimed area fora period of at least three years...". Blue Fame should modify this section after consulting Rule 4.15.5(2). 8. Exhibit L addresses the factors utilized in developing a seed mixture for the site; however, no actual seed mix is provided. The Division suggests that Blue Flame use the following seed mixture, which is National King Coal's seed mixture modified to reflect Blue Flame's predominantly north facing slopes.