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(approximately 300 feet) is a 1977 improvement to apre-existing roadway along the <br />canyon floor. The upper segment of the roadway was constructed in 1977, along the <br />hillside above the ephemeral channel of Munger Canyon. The roadway is adequate for <br />the occasional access use for which it was designed and has been used. A statement of <br />compliance in lieu of certification has been provided in permit Appendix O. <br />Road embankments have been fully stabilized by vegetation, with no indications of slope <br />instability associated with the roadway. Minor surficial sloughs from steep roadcut faces <br />along the upper segment of the road have been addressed by the operator through <br />placement of vegetated toe berms. Sedimentation from the cuts and road surface is <br />further minimized by small catch basins installed in the road ditch at all culvert inlet <br />locations. The upper road segment will be fully reclaimed upon final reclamation of the <br />mine site, with the lower, pre-existing road segment to be retained in accordance with <br />landowner (BLM) request, to provide access for ranching operations. <br />Access road specifications are addressed in Permit Section 2.2.2 and Appendix O, page 1 <br />and 2. Reclamation of the short valley bottom segment of the access road immediately to <br />the east of the coal waste disposal site is addressed in Permit Section 3.3.1. The applicant <br />has proposed to modify and retain this segment to support the postmining rangeland use, <br />in accordance with landowner (BLM) request. <br />Reclamation of the upper segment of the road is addressed in Permit Section 3.3.2. This <br />segment of road was constructed in 1977 to allow construction and development of the <br />portal bench area. The segment extends from the Munger Creek valley bottom up the <br />steep canyon side slope to access the coal outcrop. This segment of the road will be fully <br />reclaimed, in accordance with Rule 4.03.2(7). <br />The following specific findings apply to the existing access road constructed in 1977: <br />The applicant has provided a relevant showing in lieu of certification, <br />demonstrating that the road meets the performance standazds of Rule 4.03.2. <br />(4.03.2(1)(f)(ii)) <br />2. The short lower segment of the access road east of the 2004 re-aligned haul road <br />segment, on the Munger Canyon Valley floor, will not be reclaimed in accordance <br />with Rule 4.03.2(7)(a)(i) through (ix), but will be modified for use postmining, in <br />accordance with surface landowner (BLM) request. The Division approves the <br />retention of the lower road segment as it will accomodate the postmining land use <br />(rangeland), the modified road will comply with all applicable performance <br />standards, and the landowner (BLM) has made a written request that the road be <br />retained for further use (4.03.2(1)(g)). <br />C. Light-Use Roads <br />No light-use roads aze included in the permitted area. <br />20 <br />