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Michael Long October 27, 1993 Page 2 the approved permit indicates up to three inches of soil is lost during brush clearing operations. The clayey fly rock debris would be piled with the brush and disposed of in the pit as specified in the permit if topsoil salvage is conducted in the area of concern. The potential topsoil resource was not lost as a result of the cast debris. 3. Any debris not disposed of during brush clearing activities would be mixed with loamy topsoil during salvage operations, thereby diminishing any negative effects the clayey debris might have on salvaged suitable topsoil. 4. Slopes within the area of concern range between 50 and 75 percent. Tab 21 of the approved permit allows a variance for areas too steep for topsoil salvage due to equipment limitations and operator safety. Since the topsoil may not be salvageable in the area due to very steep slopes, a topsoil resource was not lost or damaged as a result of the blast. 5. The area of concern was inspected after the blasting incident. The topsoil contamination consisted of very sparsely distributed "clay rock" that had fragmented upon impact. Peabody Western does not believe significant imminent harm occurred or can reasonably be expected to occur to the prevailing hydrologic balance for the following reasons. 1. There is no evidence that spilled oil has contacted waters of the State. Quick and effective action on the part of Seneca II-W Mine personnel to contain and clean up the spilled oil substantially reduced the probability of impact to the hydrologic balance. 2. The spilled oil was contained above Sediment Pond No. 006 by constructing a series of four dikes in Pond No. 006 Gulch, thereby limiting the aerial extent of potential contamination. 3. Wet conditions in the upper soil profile in the Pond No. 006 Gulch drainage retarded crude oil from infiltrating downward. Further, the drainage is ephemeral. 4. There is no evidence that downstream water uses have been or will be materially damaged. Crude oil biodegrades at a rapid rate in natural systems (much more rapidly than refined products), thereby reducing the potential for long- term adverse effects. Abatement Step No. 2 in the Cessation Order has no bearing on the cause of the damage to the oil well site. The issue is not ground vibration. The following information pertaining to