2002-04-30_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981018

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Mining operations during previous perrnit terms have utilized longwall extraction and room and pillaz techniques to extract coal from the "D" Seam. "D" Seam mining within the permit area was completed in 1999, with operations shifting to the underlying "B" Seam, begmning with development mining in 1998!1999, and initiation of longwall extraction in early 2000. "D" seam ventilation and access portals at the East Portal Facility were sealed in March, 2000, and final reclamation of the East Portal bench and access road was completed in the fall of 2001. Environmental setting and mine operation and reclamation plans aze described in the Summary section of the Apri12Q 2000 Findings of Compliance, prepazed by the Division for Permit Renewal No. 3 (RN-03). A number of operating and reclamation plan modifications to the permit were approved via RN-03. These changes included coal production increase, hydrologic monitoring reduction, revegetation plan amendments and revegetation success evaluation methodology changes. Additional changes included amendment to the design plan for Refuse Pile 2!314, to allow for maximum final slope gradient of 4hav, with height limitation of 100 vertical feet; and modification of the soil handling plan to allow for "reverse sequence soil replacement" (subsoil over topsoil) in portions of the refuse azeas chazacterized by cheatgtass infested topsoils. More detail regarding RN-03 amendments and discipline specific permit requirements aze set forth in the Apri12Q 2000 Findings of Compliance document. The status of sfipulations to the permit, and revisions processed subsequent to issuance of the RN-03 proposed decision are addressed in Section II of this document. II. SUMMARY OF REVISIONS AND STIPULATIONS Stipulations Stipulation No. 50 and No. 51 were attached to the current renewal permit and remain in effect. No additional stipulations have been added to the permit during the current pemut term. STIPULATION NO.50 (TR-38) IF, IN ITS OPERATION, THE OPERATOR DISCOVERS ANY CULTURAL REMAINS, MONUMENTS OR SITES, OR ANY OBJECT OF ANTIQUITY SUBJECT TO THE ANTIQUITIES ACT OF JUNE S, 1906, (34 STAT. 225; lb U.S.C. SECS. 431-433), AND 43 CFR, PART 3, THE OPERATOR SHALL IMMEDIATELY CEASE ACTIVITY AND REPORT DIRECTLY TO TIIE AREA MANAGER, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT. THE BUREAU SHALL THEN TAKE SUCH ACTION AS REQUII2ED UNDER THE ACTS AND REGULATIONS THEREUNDER THE OPERATOR SHALL FOLLOW THE MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH BY BLM CONCERNING PROTECTION, PRESERVATION, OR DISPOSITION OF ANY SITES OR MATERIAL Deserado Mine Apri130, 2002