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XIII. Prime Farmland - Rules 2.04.12, 2.06.6 and 4.25 The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmlands within the proposed permit area. The decision was based on a letter from Soil Conservation Service stating that there are no prime farmlands in Routt County (Application Exhibit 24). The Division therefore finds the operation in compliance with Ruie 2.07.6(2)(k) with respect to prime farmlands. XIV. Operations Description - Rules 2.05.2, 2.05.3(1), 2.05.3(2) and 4.01 The general description of the mining operations and facilities have been reviewed by the Division for compliance with the Rules and Regulations. The general description of the mine operations can be found in Section 2.05.3 of Volume I of the application. H-G Coal Company mined coal at a rate of 500,000 tons per year throughout the lifetime of the mine, extracting a total of approximately 4.2 million tons. As reserves were estimated at 6.75 million tons, 2.5 million tons were not mined. Mining resulted in the disturbance of 409 acres, 54 acres at the loadout and 355 acres at the mine site. Current plans for the mine center on the establishment and maintenance of reclaimed areas in the mine pit. Five coat seams were removed by this area strip operation. These coal strata dip to the northeast at 5° to 9°. Total combined thickness of the coals averages twenty-two (22) feet and overburden ranges from nine (9) feet near the coal outcrops to 180 feet at the thickest point. The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. XV. Explosives -Rules 2.05.3(b) and 4.08 Information on the use of explosives and blasting activities can be found in Section 2.05.3(b) and Exhibits F, G and N of Exhibit Volume 1. The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. XVI. Backfilling and Grading - Rules `2,05.3(6)(b), 2, 05.4(2)(a), 2.05.4(2)(c), 4.09, 4.13 and 4.14 The backfilling and grading plans were reviewed by the Division for conformance with the Rules and Regulations. Appropriate information can be found in Sections 2.05.3 and 2,05.4 of Volume I of the original application. The rill and gully stabilization plan can be found in Section 2.05.4(e)(iii). Revisions to the post-mining topography can be found in the Permit Revision volume submitted in March, 1984, and is the response to adequacy issues submitted July 6, 1984. Problems identified during both the original permit application review and during the permit revision review related to overburden handling procedures, swell factors, stability of the excess spoil pile and the configuration of the proposed reclaimed surface. All concerns were satisfactorily resolved. _29_ ~ ..