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contributing area. Reclamation construction will also impact azeas within the remaining pond <br />contributing azea by virtue of the land stabilization processes being undertaken. <br />DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES <br />The Project Area is located adjacent to both Coal Creek and Dutch Creek approximately four <br />miles above the Crystal River and Redstone in western Pitkin County. Redstone is located on <br />Highway 133, approximately 18 miles south of Carbondale. The azea is located at an elevation <br />of approximately 8,300 feet, and has a northerly aspect. Reclamation operations conducted by <br />the Division at the Coal Basin Mine aze geared toward returning mining related disturbances to a <br />condition capable of supporting the pre-determined post mining land uses of grazing, wildlife <br />habitat and limited recreation. An important factor in meeting these goals is the reduction of <br />sediment contribution from disturbed azeas to receiving streams. In order to meet the goal of <br />sediment reduction, substantial earth moving is necessary, as is topsoil importation and <br />placement and revegetation processes. <br />A number of reclamation projects are either planned or are underway within the facilities azea. <br />For clarity, the facilities area may be thought of as three distinct areas; that portion of the <br />property located west of Road A; the parcel of land located east of Road A and west of the Dutch <br />Creek Flume, and the Old Refuse Pile, located to the east of the Dutch Creek Flume. A <br />description of the reclamation tasks or projects to be accomplished in each area follows. <br />Old Refuse Pile Project Area ' <br />Two projects will be completed within the 001 pond contributing area on the Old Refuse Pile. <br />The Huntsman Project is designed to minimize the potential of a large scale failure from <br />slumping into the adjacent Coal Creek. Substantial slope reduction has to be accomplished in <br />order to achieve the goal of creating a more stable slope condition. Approximately 65,000 cubic <br />yazds of coal refuse were excavated from the north facing slope of the Old Refuse Pile in order to <br />reduce the slope from 1H:1 V or steeper to an average slope of 2H:1 V. This material was <br />transported to the area west of Road A. Upon completion of excavation, topsoil will be applied <br />to the slope. Small hillocks will be created during topsoil application in order to help disperse <br />runoff and to promote revegetation potential. Two transverse benches will be excavated to <br />minimize erosion potential by limiting the overall slope distance. Fertilizer application, seeding, <br />mulching and planting of trees and shrubs will complete this approximately six acre project. <br />The Bear Creek Project will also help to achieve a greater degree of slope stability immediately <br />to the east of the Huntsman Project area. In this area, the slope angles aze to be reduced from <br />approximately 1 H:1 V to 2H:1 V. However, rather than transporting the excavated refuse from <br />the site, it will be pushed down from the crest to the base of the pile in order to achieve the <br />design slopes. The volume of refuse to be excavated has yet to be calculated, however it is <br />estimated that 40,000 to 50,000 cubic yards may be removed from the crest of the pile and placed <br />at the base. The refuse pile has not been observed to be acid forming, however, in order to <br />minimize infiltration potential, fill areas are mechanically compacted. As with the Huntsman <br />Project, upon completion of excavation, topsoil will be applied to the slope. Small hillocks will <br />2 <br />