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reclamation of the Elk Creek Mine facilities, the two nine-foot culverts will be removed and the <br />Elk Creek channel will be reconstructed in compliance with Rule 4.05.4. <br />These activities proposed in TR-32 required specific authorization by the Division in accordance <br />with Rule 4.05.4(4), Stream Channel Diversions (Relocation of Streams) and Stream Channel <br />Reconstruction, and Rule 4.05.18, Stream Buffer Zones. Therefore, the Division made the <br />findings that the original stream channel will be reconstructed, that the water quantity and quality <br />from the stream section within ]00 feet of the surface coal mining operations will not be <br />adversely affected during and after mining, and that appropriate riparian vegetation will be <br />reestablished. <br />It is anticipated that active mining operations will continue for at least 21 years. Reclamation <br />operations will begin immediately following the decision to close the mine. Note that as of this <br />approval, the permit area has been increased to accommodate the Elk Creek lease, but no mine <br />plan has yet been proposed or approved. <br />As the mine has been in operation since 1902, much of the disturbed azea associated with the <br />mine was affected prior to the effective date of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act <br />of 1977 and the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation Act. Baseline environmental factors <br />were not measured, and no topsoil was salvaged prior to previous disturbance. Disturbances <br />which have been conducted since the effective date of the Act have been permitted and <br />conducted in compliance with the Act and Regulations. These activities include the Hubbard <br />Creek Ventilation Fan No. 2 facility, the 3 Dip Methane Degas Wellfield, and the Sanborn Creek <br />Tract. Al] other areas of disturbance at the mine occurred prior to the effective date of the Act, <br />although the Elk Creek facilities are currently functional as the Sanborn Creek Tract support <br />facilities. <br />All surfaces will be returned to the approximate original contour (AOC) with two exceptions. <br />The Bear Creek and Hubbard Creek ventilation facilities will be backfilled only to the extent <br />practical, given the fact that these small facilities areas aze pre-existing and cut into steep slopes. <br />A variance from AOC has been granted in accordance with the backfilling and grading <br />provisions of the Regulations (see Section VII of this document). Permanent waste piles will be <br />blended into the surrounding topography. The main mine access road will be left in place <br />following mining in order to provide access to the Somerset Cemetery and Elk Creek. The <br />powerline access road and powerline corridor will be reclaimed. <br />Following grading, all pre-law disturbed areas in the Elk Creek yazd will have surface material <br />sampled to determine if it will be suitable for direct revegetation. The Sanborn Creek Tract <br />disturbance will be sampled in a similaz fashion. If it is found that the surface material is not <br />suitable, the azea will be topdressed with suitable materials obtained from excavation for <br />reestablishment of the Elk Creek drainage from a borrow area near the backfilled Elk Creek <br />access portals or from topsoil stockpiles. Suitable plant growth medium will be spread to a <br />thickness of six inches. The area will then be seeded with the approved seed mixture and <br />mulched at the rate of 4,000 pounds of straw per acre. Straw will be crimped along the contour. <br />12 <br />