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disturbances. Alternative sediment controls are utilized at a number of approved small area exemption sites <br />Water Consumption <br />Water usage during operations was from consumption in the mines, in the coal preparation plant, and in the <br />surface facilities. Consumptive use is monitored and results included in the Annual Hydrology Report (AHR). <br />Consumptive use will be minimal in the future because mining and washing of coal has ceased. Water use will <br />be limited to dust control activities during reclamation and for operations at the unit train loadout (if the <br />loadout operation is re-activated). <br />Mine Water Discharge <br />A permanent, gravity flow minewater discharge site (Outfa11016) has been established in the vicinity of the <br />reclaimed North Decline facility area. The installation involved angled drilling into the lowest elevation of the <br />South Mine workings. Outfall 002, a siphon type dischazge located at the backfilled Northwest Intake Portal <br />adjacent [o I-70 has been inactivated. Outfall 002 was previously the primary minewater discharge for the <br />South Mine workings, but in the future will be used only as an emergency back-up to Outfall 016. The <br />minewater dischazge from the South Mine has never required treatment to meet CDPS dischazge standazds, and <br />is dischazged drrectly into the Colorado River. Dischazge from the North Mine workings ceased in 1999 when <br />mining ceased and the pumps were shut down. The mine was subsequently sealed and backfilled, and future <br />discharge is not anticipated, based on projected fmal ground water elevation. There is infrequent discharge <br />from sedimentation ponds. All dischazge from sediment ponds and the underground workings is sampled and <br />reported in accordance with CDPS and DMG permit requirements. For additional information on these <br />dischazges, see Section C.II. of this document. <br />General Reclamation Summary <br />The approved reclamation plan requires that reclamation of most azeas is to begin upon cessation of mining. <br />Some locations including the lower benches of the Cameo Refuse Disposal Sites and the North Decline were <br />reclaimed in the mid-1990's. Final reclamation of remaining facility areas and refuse pile azeas was initiated in <br />2000, with extensive earthwork and revegetation completed during 2002. Reclamation activity is continuing, <br />with most major tasks to be completed by the end of 2004. Initial tasks include removal of structures and <br />facilities, and sealing ofunderground openings. Following completion of structural demolition in a specified <br />location, the area is backfilled and graded to approved configuration. Topsoil is redistributed on most <br />reclaimed surfaces, and all reclaimed areas are seeded and mulched. Roads not approved for postmining use <br />will be removed when no longer needed for reclamation activities. Details of the reclamation plan are included <br />in Tab 14 of the approved permit application package. <br />Mine entries and ventilation shafts aze sealed with concrete and at least ten feet of noncombustible material, or <br />simply backfilled with 25 feet ofnon-combustible material in accordance with procedures specified in the <br />approved permit. Drill holes and monitoring wells will be filled with drill hole cuttings or sealant and plugged <br />with cement. <br />Disturbed azeas other than refuse azeas will be backfilled to approximate original contour. There aze no plans <br />for retention of highwalls. <br />Refuse areas will be compacted and graded to final design contours and covered with the required thickness of <br />non-toxic, non-combustible material (24" on CRDA-2, 18" on RSRDA, and CRDA-1). This cover thickness <br />15 <br />