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<br />Mid-Term Review Responses III <br />West Elk Mine Permit C-80-007 <br />Page 2 <br />maps become progressively out of line with areas on other maps. Areas can and should be <br />realigned for comparison by rectification. The apparent discrepancies MCC believes are explained <br />with map rectification are the areas above the substation, near the water tank near the portals, the <br />area near the mine supply storage areas, and near the water intake building. <br />Several areas which were re-handled (as discussed with CDMG in Round II) which were included <br />as areas to be re-topsoiled on the Envirocon map. Since these areas have already been topsoiled, <br />they will not require additional topsoil. However, it is reasonable to presume that several of the <br />areas will be re-disturbed to achieve the approved post-mining topography. When this is <br />undertaken, the existing topsoil will be removed prior to grading and replaced on the final <br />topography. Therefore, there is no shortage of topsoil in these areas, and the Envirocon map is <br />overly conservative with respect to these areas. The areas in question are several areas between <br />FW-1 and IvfB-I, south of FW-1, the embankment below the shop, fuel storage, and three sided <br />warehouse, embankment below the lower mine access road, northeast of FW-1, and the uphill <br />side of the main haul access road above and below the pile. <br />Additional areas of concern will not be re-topsoiled because they will not be reclaimed (in <br />accordance with the approved permit), or cannot be topsoiled because of topography. The road <br />main access road along the LRP and up Sylvester Gulch from Highway 133 will not be reclaimed. <br />The areas below the screening facility and around the stacktube and reclaim system pad are cliffs, <br />and are undisturbed and cannot physically be topsoiled. The area east of the screening facility is <br />undisturbed. <br />Two areas which are under investigation are the upper diversion ditch (DCW-lA and DCW-1B) <br />and Ditch D1-6. Topsoil was stripped during the construction of these ditches and is presumed to <br />have been windrowed beside the ditches. MCC is undertaking field verification of this <br />presumption. <br />Additionally, as discussed at the mine, MCC is providing the Division with a map comparing the <br />Envirocon map and Maps ~6 and 67. <br />8. MCC has modified Map ~8 to include approximately three additional acres of shrub <br />clumps. <br />10. The statement referenced in this question was not part of MCC's response, but was <br />original permit text regarding topsoil salvage. It means that subsoil can be salvaged and <br />reconditioned as topsoil, but some subsoil cannot and is used in constructed fills, etc. The revised <br />page submitted previously was 2.04-44, wherein MCC committed to using the subsoil stockpile in <br />Sylvester Gulch for use in reclamation only. No subsoil will be used off site or off the permit area <br />for reclamation or any other purpose. The subsoil available for reclamation in the fills has been <br />accounted for (for the purposes of backfilling and grading) in the current existing contours on <br />Map 53. <br />