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The permit area covers approximately 15,638 acres. Of this total, approximately 385 acres aze <br />disturbed, which primarily includes surface facilities and methane degas pads. <br />Upon cessation of mining at the West Elk Mine, reclamation will return the disturbed land to a <br />rangeland and wildlife habitat land use. Some reclamation activities will occur during the life of <br />the mine as azeas cease to be used for mining activities. During reclamation, the mine portals <br />will be sealed, surface facilities removed, and the entire disturbed azea will be returned to <br />approximate original contour. The waste pile will be shaped to blend into adjacent topography. <br />The mine azea will then be smooth graded, and compacted azeas will be ripped or scarified to <br />eliminate slippage surfaces, establishing a suitable bond for the overlying seedbed material. <br />Topsoil, which has been salvaged during construction of the surface facilities, will be <br />redistributed over the disturbed azea. Drainage control will be retained until the revegetation <br />operation is underway and erosion is under control. Following the distribution of topsoil and <br />final grading, the newly shaped surface will be prepazed for planting. Surface prepazation will <br />loosen and roughen the surface by disking, harrowing, or dragging. Various conditioners and <br />neutralizers may be used to modify the seedbed conditions to ensure successful establishment of <br />a vegetative cover. The site will then be planted using West Elk's Permanent and Riparian <br />Seeding mix. Various species of shrubs will also be planted. <br />37 <br />