PERMFILE59209

• Permit No: C1981041A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 7/30/2007
• Section_Exhibit Name: Tab 14 Reclamation Plan
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

2.05.4(2) Reclamation Plan
(a) A detailed time table for the completion of each major step in the reclamation plan
is presented in Figure 14-1. This time table assumes that most ofthe reclamation
will be done at the end of the life of the mine. The start of "Year 1" maybe up to
1 year past the end of final shut down to allow for final engineering, permitting
and job bidding. Areas where reclamation has started, been completed and
areas with a defined schedule are shown with actual dates.
By letter dated March 13, 2000, the Operator notified the DMG its cessation of
operations was permanent. By letter to the DMG dated November 5, 2002, the
Operator clarified the Unit Train Loadout and Railroad Spur were in temporary
cessation because Lodestar Energy, Inc., anticipated utiliang the loadout as soon
as appropriate coal sales were realized. However, that coal contract never
materialized. The Operator currently (May 2007) has a purchase and sale
agreement with a Company that v~ill use the loadout as an industrial site. Closing
on the purchase and sale agreement is subject to among otheritems, obtaining
approval of a land use change from the DRMS. The Operator will put the unit
train loadout on the reclamation schedule with Year 1 being 2007 with the
expectation the DRMS will allow the Operator time to ma~amize the commercial
value of the unit train loadout.
All portions of the mine site, otherthan the loadout, railroad spur, north portal
substation and power line to the loadout will be treated as they are in permanent
cessation. Therefore, the 2001 calendaryear is Year 1 of the reclamation
schedule for most of the items presented in Figure 14-1.
In response to Stipulation 11 in the permit, a revision was applied for on
December 30, 1982. The revision application, Stipulation 11 Response and
subsequent modifications established a field trial on the Roadside Refuse
Disposal Area (RSRDA) to determine a dirt cover requirement for coal processing
waste or refuse. Rule 4.10.4(5) allows less than 4' of cover if approved by the
Division. The trial was started with seeding in 1983 and concluded in 1993. A
layout of the field trial sites is shown on Exhibit RS-1 1-008. Vegetation and soil
studies were conducted in 1986, 1988 and 1993. Copies ofthese studies have
been submitted to the Division for review. As a result of these studies, the
conclusion given by Savage and Savage in the "Powderhorn Coal Company
Roadside Refuse Disposal Area Field Trail Evaluation of Test Plots Vegetation
and Soils, Roadside Mine, Cameo, Colorado", August 26, 1993, page 79, was
that: "With all parameters considered, successful vegetation can be established
on the Roadside RDA with between twelve and twenty-four inches of soil material
placed over the refuse, based on results of the 1986, 1988, and 1993 sampling of
Test Plots and the Shadscale Shrubland Reference Area". Based upon results of
these field trial studies and discussions v~ith the Division, Powderhorn will be
placing a minimum of 18" of nontoxic, noncombustible material in accordance
with
14-1 (Rev. 05/07)