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. +r <br />-7- <br />Small scale mining began in the Harvey Gap region in the late 1800'5 and <br />continued through the 1970'5. Prior activity at the Eastside Mine resulted in <br />extraction extending approximately 100 feet in from the outcrop of the E <br />seam. The entire 12 acre area to be disturbed by the proposed surface <br />facilities has been disturbed in varying degrees by previous mining activity. <br />Of the 12 acres of proposed surface disturbance, approximately 3 acres will be <br />utilized for refuse disposal on the west side of Harvey Gap Drainage. The <br />remainder of the disturbance, including portal area, coal storage and office <br />facilities will be located on the east side of the drainage. <br />Prior to redisturbance, remaining soil will be salvaged from the proposed <br />refuse and office-shop areas. These sites were less severely disturbed than <br />the remainder of the area. Sufficient soil will be stripped and stockpiled to <br />provide a minimum replacement depth of two feet on the refuse pile and 6 <br />inches in other disturbed-areas. <br />Sediment and drainage control will consist of diversion ditches and sediment <br />ponds at the refuse area and the mine portal-yard area. Sediment control for <br />the 3 acre office-shop area will be achieved by vegetation, gravel surfacing <br />and filter fabric dams. <br />Upon cessation of mining, final reclamation will entail facilities removal, <br />portal sealing and backfilling and regrading of the mine bench and face up <br />area to a stable configuration. The regraded area and refuse pile will be <br />topdressed and revegetated, and the site will be restored to support the <br />pre-mining use of wildlife habitat. <br />I. Legal, Financial and Compliance Information -- Rule 2.03 <br />The legal, financial and compliance information sections of the permit <br />application can be found on pages 1 through 11. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.01.6(2)(9), and on the basis of evidence submitted by the <br />applicant, the Division finds that Eastside Coal Company does not own or <br />control any operations which are currently in violation of any law, rule, or <br />provision of the Surface Mining Control and Reccamation Act (P .L. 95-87) or <br />the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act (CRS 34-33-101 et seq., 1973 <br />as amended). <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(h), the Division finds that Eastside Coal Company <br />does not own or control and has not controlled mining operations with a <br />demonstrated pattern of willful violations of the Act of such nature, duration <br />and with such resulting irreparable damage to the environment as to indicate <br />an intent not to comply with the provisions of the Act. <br />Two Notices of Violation were issued by the Division to Eastside Coal Company <br />for operations at the Harvey Gap Exploration project in 1983. Both violations <br />have been terminated and civil penalties have been paid. A description of the <br />violations is provided on pages 6 and 7 of the application. <br />