Laserfiche WebLink
Seneca Coal Company <br />Seneca II-W Mine ~ June 2006 <br />Phase I Bond Release Request <br />• draglines. All areas afEeced by the surface mining operations, except as specifically exempted by the CDMG, <br />were regraded on a timely basis to a stable configuration that conforms with the approved postmining land <br />use (livestock grazing and wildlife habitat). Fox the most part, grading was done along contour to also <br />m;n;m;ve erosion. Any time operations were conducted on steep slopes that could present safety concerns to <br />the operators, grading was done in a direction other than parallel to contour. Exhibit D, Typical Cross <br />Sections of Backfilled and Graded Area, provides representative cross-sections showing final topography <br />configuration. Amore detailed discussion of the overall mining and reclamation can be found in the Seneca <br />II-W Mine Permit Application, spedfically Tab 12, Operation Plan and Tab 2Q Backfilliug and Grading. Rill <br />and gully surveys are conduced annually in the spring of each yeaz to identify aeeas that have experienced <br />severe erosion ox other signs of instability during spring runoff fmm snowmelt and preclpitation events. <br />Minor rills and gullies have occurred and been remediated over the past pears however, no major instances of <br />instability have been identified in the pexrttanent program area requested for Phase I bond release. <br />Included in the postmine regrading operation was the construction of small swales and hummocks to <br />m;n;m;~e erosion and to conserve soil moisture and to promote xevegetation. Small stock tanks axe also <br />utilized in the postmine grading operations to m;nim;~e erosion and to provide water for livestock and <br />wildlife. The locations of these stock ponds aze shown on Exhibit C, Post Mining Topography Map. The <br />designs and certified as-builts for the permanent stock ponds can be reviewed in the Seneca II-W Mine <br />Pennit Application Tab 13, Facilities. <br />Postmine drainage channels were designed and constructed to also control runoff and erosion. All of these <br />channels were designed and constructed to control, at ]east the 10-year, 24hour storm event. In most cases <br />where grades aze steep, the riprap used in the construction of the channels is 3+ inches larger than the design <br />specifies. This conservatism used in the construction helps to ensure stability of the channels. <br />The locations of these channels are shown on the attached Exhibit C, Post Mining Topography Map, while <br />the as-built profiles for these channels are presented on Exhibit E, As-Built Drainage Profiles. The approved <br />channel designs aze included in the Seneca II-W Mine Permit Application Tab 20, Backfilling and Grading. <br />These postmine drainage channels all ultimately flow to sediment ponds to ensure that water quality leaving <br />the permit area is within regulatory specified limits. The locations of these ponds axe also shown on the <br />attached E.Yhibit C, Post Mining Topography Map. The designs and as-built documentation is contained in <br />• the Seneca II-W Mine Pemtit Application Tab 13, Faalities. <br />