_REVISION - C1980004

• Permit No: C1980004
• IBM Index Class Name: Revision
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

of 1,700,000 tons per year (which is more than double the projected maximum annual production
during the permit term). Because the projected annual depletion is less than 100 acre feet, the
referenced depletion fee waiver remains applicable.
16. The Division has contacted the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation Fees Branch.As of this time,
the operator is current in the payment of reclamation fees required by 30 CFR Chapter VII,
subchapter R(2.07.6(2)(o)). Current payment was verified through AVS checks on July 3, 2003 and
January 4,2005.
SECTION B-Rule 4
I. ROADS-Rule 4.03
Road design and construction narrative is found in Section 2.2.2 of the permit application package
(PAP). Road reclamation is discussed in Section 3 of the PAP. Road plan and profile maps, and
cross sections are provided on Exhibits 2.24 and 2.2-5. Permitted roads are an existing
access/haul road extending from State Highway 139 to the portal facilities area which was
constructed in the spring of 1977,and light use roads in the sediment pond/soil stockpiles vicinity.
The operator has committed to reclaim all roads to approximate original contour (AOC), with no
road segments to be retained for the post mining land use.
An original haul road certification dated June 7, 1998, and a Road Compliance Statement in Lieu
of Certification dated September 18, 1997, is included in Appendix O of the PAP. Rule
4.03.1(1)(d)(ii), which became effective in 1996, allows for a relevant showing of compliance
with performance standards in lieu of certification. The compliance statement was submitted to
address compliance with regulatory requirements that became effective subsequent to road
construction and subsequent to the original certification.
The Division proposes to approve the following specific variances.
A. Haul Roads
1. The Division proposes to approve cut slopes steeper than lv:0.25h in rock. Figure 2.2-5 of
the application indicates a section of the road which had to be cut into the canyon wall where
the cut slopes are approximately 1v:0.13 horizontal (cross section C-C'). A safety hazard
posed by the steep upper portion of the cliff in this location was mitigated by the operator by
grading the crest of the slope to a lesser grade, in the spring of 1988.
Possible slides from this cut slope do not present a potential for serious environmental harm.
Any small debris from the cut slope or cliff above is contained by the roadside ditch system
that is regularly maintained and directs drainage to the sedimentation pond. In the event of a
slope failure at this location, slide material would likely block the drainage ditch and
accumulate on the road. Any such blockage of the drainage system would be temporary and
would not result in significant environmental damage. Neither the road cut slope nor the
upper cliff slope above the cut have demonstrated instability since the crest slope reduction
was performed. For these reasons, the Division finds that the cut slope steeper than 1v:0.25
in rock will not result in significant environmental harm or harm to the public health and
safety (4.03.1(3)(d)(i)).
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