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• The mandate of Section 515(b)(3) of the Surface Mining Control and <br />Reclamation Act to restore the land to the approximate original contour <br />with all highwalls eliminated contains an inherent contradiction when it <br />is applied to Hay Gulch, with its steep topography. In such terrain, <br />elimination of the highwall would not restore the land to approximate <br />original contour, since its original contour, in many areas, was a <br />natural steep area, or "cliff", which was similar in its contour to a <br />highwall. Consequently, Sunbelt feels that the portal face-up should <br />remain as part of the post-mining topography. <br />The portal face-up above the entries has been in place since 1905. No <br />stability or safety problems have been encountered since that time with <br />the face-up. <br />Surface Facilities and Structures. A minimum of earthwork will be <br />necessary for the regrading of the surface facilities area. All <br />facilities will be removed at the conclusion of mining unless approved <br />• by the Division for future beneficial use. <br />Following the removal of the structures and the foundations, dozers or <br />graders will be used, where necessary, to reshape the area to produce a <br />surface similar to the pre-mining topography. Equipment will leave the <br />surface in a rough or furrowed condition along the contour. Smooth <br />compacted surfaces will be avoided to reduce the erosion and subsequent <br />sedimentation problems. <br />The final grading will be done along the contour by dozers and motor <br />graders. The final surface grade will match the overall approximate <br />pre-mining grade. The proposed final surface configuration is shown on <br />the Post-Mining Topography Map (Map 9). <br /> <br />2.~5-2~ <br />