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I. REVIEW OF MINE STATUS <br />For a brief operational history, please refer to page 3 of the Division's August 26, 2003 Proposed <br />Decision and Findings of Compliance for Permit Renewal (RN-04). Mining at the operation ceased on <br />December 2, 1999. By letter of December 13, 1999, the operator notified the Division that cessation <br />of operations would extend beyond 30 days. A subsequent letter received by the Division March 14, <br />2000, provided official notice that the cessation of operations was permanent. Official operational <br />status was changed to Temporary Cessation, based on a Notification Letter of November 5, 2002, <br />which describes possible future use of the Unit Train Loadout and Railroad Spur facilities by Lodestar <br />Energy, Inc. Final reclamation requirements and schedules for remaining portions of the operation <br />were not affected by the temporary cessation status. <br />Certain reclamation tasks were undertaken shortly after cessation of coal extraction, and reclamation <br />work has continued in accordance with the schedule set forth in Figure 14-1 of the approved permit <br />application. As of August 2005, the mine portals have been sealed, and extensive facilities <br />demolition, backfill and grading, topsoiling, and permanent seeding has been completed. Major <br />reclamation tasks yet to be completed include final facilities demolition, earthwork, and revegetation <br />at the South Portal facilities area, permanent drainage channel construction or modification along Coal <br />Creek below the upper dip section culverts, within Cameo Soil Borrow Area No. 2, and at the North <br />Portal Reclaimed Area. Remaining South Portal Area reclamation is to be initiated in the last quarter of <br />2005 and completed in 2006. Completion of permanent drainage channel work will be required prior <br />to Phase 1 Bond Release for the channel corridors. Final reclamation of sedimentation ponds and <br />associated collection and diversion ditches will be undertaken following demonstration of effective <br />vegetation cover and approval of sediment pond removal. Reclamation dates for the railroad spur, <br />unit train loadout, and related facilities are not defined, due to the potential for future use of the <br />facilities for coal loading. <br />The permit was most recently renewed on October 17, 2003, with a permit expiration date of January <br />3, 2008. <br />9 <br />