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<br />stripping occurred before there was even the slightest indication of a <br />reclamation requirement being passed by [he state. It even pre-dates the <br />first legal requirement for Colorado coal mines to reclaim their land. <br />Furthermore, the area where the waste was dumped is contained within <br />the mining plan and will eventually be destroyed anyway. Therefore, the <br />mere deposition of some waste on Cop of a vegetation cover that is <br />considerably less dense than typical Sonoran desert growth seems to be of <br />little importance or consequence. <br />ITEM 4.) THE MAPS SUBMITTED IN THE AMENDMENT APPLICATION ACCURATELY <br />DEPICT THE SITE. ADEQUACY ITEMS 15'ERE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED CONCERNING PERMIT <br />BOUNDARIES AND NEARBY WELLS. <br />RESPONSE: No response needed. <br />ITEM 5.) THE PIT OPERATIONS WERE AT OR NEAR THE EXISTING PERMIT BOUNDARY. <br />RESPONSE: This is true. It is also one of the reasons we were <br />requesting an amendment to the permit. <br />ITEM 6.) THE PIT AND UNDERGROUND WORKINGS WERE DRY AT THE TIME OF THIS <br />INSPECTION. <br />RESPONSE: The underground workings usually are dry as little water <br />actually makes it through the limestone. Only in very wet years does any <br />seepage occur into the underground workings and at those times it is a <br />very localized seepage. <br />Wetness in the pit area does occur after very heavy thunderstorms or <br />the melting of large snowfalls. Usually it is either dry or only damp. <br />RECOMMENDATIONS: <br />ITEM 1.) THE OPERATOR SHOULD DESIGN A DRAINAGE CONTROL PLAN THAT WILL <br />MINIMIZE EROSION AND DIVERT AND DIRECT RUNOFF. THIS WILL DECREASE <br />MAINTENANCE FOR ROADS AND OPERATING AREAS AS WELL AS MINIMIZE <br />ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE. IF FEASIBLE A SEDIMENT POND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED <br />FOR THIS SITE, BELOW ALL DISTURBED AREAS. <br />RESPONSE: Such a plan will be considered in the future. At this <br />time, runoff is not all that serious a problem. The mine itself provides <br />considerable control over drainage and sedimentation on the road. After <br />very large storms, it must be admitted, runoff from the berm and the road <br />itself can be somewhat troublesome, but it is a very local problem and <br />does not extend into any important drainages or cause any severe <br />problems. <br />2 <br />