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comprised of the Lennox I;oal in areas where the wedge overburden is greater than 60 foot . <br />thick (see Exhibit b-3, Tab b); and 2) a thin shale layer (.7 foot thick) in the far <br />western portion of the Yoast mining area (see Exhibit b-4, Tab 6). The acidic Lennox Coal <br />comprises less than ten percent and the thin shale layer only one percent of the Uadge <br />overburden at these locations. ~tdtlitional information provided from the analysis of <br />lithologic quality and ground water monitoring, in combination with [he neutralization <br />potential of the overburden, indicate that replaced spoil material should have only <br />minimal or no impact on the grour~d water quality (also see Tab 17, PHC). Seneca Coal <br />Company (SCC) has also planned to sample the replaced topsoil and upper three feet of <br />final graded spoil material to determine the suitability for plant growth (see Tab 21, <br />Minesoil Reconstruction). <br />As described in Tab 7 (flydroLogic Description), natural ground waters at the Yoast Nine <br />contain high concentrations of dissolved minerals and solids. The resaturation of spoil <br />materials will augment the natural ground water recharge system; however, the quality of <br />ground water in the spoil will not be similar to the premining', ground water quality. <br />Analysis of the impact of spoil material (Tab 17) indicates that the ground eater <br />recharged by the spoil water will affect the quality of the ground water. In general, the <br />dissolved solids content of the ground water is expected to increase to a level greater <br />than the baseline TDS level. <br />SCL does not anticipate the transfer of ownership or use of any ground voter cells <br />completed in units within the Yoast complex. All boreholes, veils, shafts, and auger <br />holes will be cased and/or sealed to prevent possible ground eater degradation through <br />the mixing of ground voter and/or surface water that could occur vithin the borehole. A <br />specific plan for sealing of bor eh of es, exploration holes, auger holes, wells, and shafts <br />is contained in Tab 18, Hydrologic Reclamation Plan. <br />Ground eater quantity. Typical bac kfilling methods primarily involve the use of dozers <br />and scrapers (see Tab 20, 8ackfilling and Grading). Studies by Rahn (1976) and VanYOast <br />and Hedges (1975) indicate that replaced spoil materials display greater porosities and <br />hydraulic conductivities due to the increased void space, regardless of how the spoil is <br />bac kfilled in the pits. Spoil bac kfilling using the methods described in Tab 20 <br />(Bac kfilling and Grading) will ensure the eventual resaturation ~of the disturbed areas <br />(pits), and thus minimize the adverse effects of mining on ground water floe. • <br />The Yoast complex is Located in an area that has a climate yielding 16 to 22 inches of <br />2 <br />