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Section 780.11(a) Continued. Whenever possible, reclamation will begin as contemporaneously as possible with removal of coal from the pits. Normal day to day operations will allow backfilling and grading to proceed contemporaneously with mining. By observing Figure 33, Typical Steady State Pit, it can be seen that the area where active mining takes place is approximately ,2600 linear feet in advance of final backfilling, topsoiling, and revegetation. As depicted on Map 1, Kerr Mine Area Mine Plan and Map 33, Kerr Mine Area Overburden Replacement and Grading, mining and backfilling advance at approximately the same rate, with the exception of 1983 and 1984 when mining will advance more rapidly than backfilling as the 5,600 linear foot steady state pit is developed. During 1989-1990, overburden replacement advances rapidly as the final pit is backfilled. For these reasons, final reclamation must lag behind active mining for • approximately three years. Initial backfilling, e.g., covering of the exposed coal seam in the pit bottom occurs within 180 days of final coal removal, but because of the nature of the mining plan as described above, the approximate original contour cannot be achieved until approximately three years after the coal has been removed. The final graded slopes will not be uniform, but will undulate to minimize erosion and maximize water retention for vegetative growth. The undulating surface will match the overall approximate premining contour and grade, and thereby eliminate any need for cut and fill terraces. Unless the grade is such that it presents a safety hazard to the operator, rough grading by dozers and motograders will be done along the contour before topsoil redistribution. At the completion of rough grading, topsoil will be redistributed over the regraded overburden. Prepa- • 5~~ ~ 780-6R Revised -October, 1990