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The attainment of the reclamation goals will be satisfied by the <br />implementation of the reclamation plan described below. Colowyo <br />will combine information from existing baseline conditions with the <br />modern practices of reclamation technology to assure achievement of <br />the reclamation objectives. The pre-mining condition of the permit <br />area has been characterized through the collection of baseline <br />data. After the identification of the pre-mining conditions, <br />mining and reclamation commenced in 1976 according to the following <br />sequence: <br />(1) Removal of topsoil and vegetation; <br />(2) Removal of overburden; <br />(3) Extraction of the coal resource; <br />(4) Backfilling, grading, and re-contouring of the <br />surface to its approximate original contour; <br />(5) Reestablishment of surface drainage patterns; <br />(6) Topsoil Replacement; and <br />(7) Revegetation and the restoration of the affected <br />land to the pre-mining land use, <br />Such practices are expected to result in land use capabilities and <br />productivity levels equal to or greater than those presently found. <br />', At the outset, it is imperative to appreciate that the reclamation <br />plan defined in this section is to be implemented in a permit area <br />where there has been disturbance from surface coal mining and <br />reclamation operations (since 1976) and prior (now abandoned) <br />underground operations. There are certain areas which are now <br />undergoing backfilling and regrading. Revegetation techniques have <br />been applied to all previously mined or otherwise disturbed lands. <br />The reclamation timetable for the various aspects of the mining <br />operation are indicated in Section 2.03 on Table 1, Affected Areas <br />For Mining and Reclamation. As indicated in Section 2.05.3, the <br />east half of the coal lease will be mined from north to south. To <br />meet the maximum coal recovery requirements of the U.S. Bureau of <br />Land Management and to avoid disturbing the area twice, a strip of <br />land 500 to 600 feet wide along the Streeter drainage will be left <br />unreclaimed until the west half of the lease is mined (see Spoil <br /> <br />2.05-39 <br />