Laserfiche WebLink
} <br />ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH EXPEDITED RECLAMATION OF <br />MUNGER CANYON MINE <br />Narrative in Section 2.0 on page 2-1 regarding status of Munger and <br />McClane operations would be outdated if Munger reclamation is to be <br />initiated in 2007, and the narrative should be properly amended. <br />2. Narrative in Section 2.2.5 beginning on page 2-11 addresses various aspects of <br />coal mine waste (also referred to as waste rock) disposal site design, operations, <br />and reclamation. Design plans, cross-sections, pre-mining and post-mining <br />contours associated with the disposal site and associated facilities are presented <br />on Figures 2.2.6, 2.2.7, 2.2-7A, and 2.2-7B. <br />The section narrative and each of the map figures will need to be <br />substantially modified to reflect amended status and plans. <br />Timing restriction limiting site development activity to the period from May 1 to <br />December 1 to minimize disturbance to deer and elk during the winter (page 2-15) <br />was apparently required by BLM. Similar restriction may apply to reclamation <br />activity. BLM will need to be contacted and the timing restriction retained in <br />the application for reclamation activity if warranted. Note that BLM is to be <br />notified at least 48 hours prior to commencement of surface disturbing <br />activities. We would request that DRMS be notified concurrently with BLM. <br />Post reclamation fencing to protect newly seeded areas from livestock grazing is <br />not specified for the waste disposal site and associated topsoil stockpile area; <br />however fencing is specified in other sections of the application for lower <br />segments of the reclaimed road and the lower road topsoil stockpile area (page 3- <br />19). Based on observation of cattle in the immediate area in the recent past, and <br />given the favored valley bottom location, and the fact that the smaller volume of <br />waste will result in gentle slopes and only a modest topographic rise, it is likely <br />that the site will be attractive to cattle. Concentrated cattle grazing could <br />negatively impact revegetation establishment. As such, we recommend that <br />fencing of the waste disposal and adjacent facility sites he included in the <br />amended plan, in accordance with specifications listed on page 3-19. <br />3. Sedimentation control is referenced on page 2-26 and specific plans and <br />documentation are presented in various appendix sections and map figures. The <br />current plans adequately address operational sediment controls, but sediment <br />control plans for certain sites in their reclaimed configuration appear to be <br />lacking. Specifically, operational sediment control for the majority of the portal <br />bench area includes a small area exemption for most of the site, with <br />sedimentation controlled by a combination rock check and silt fence installation. <br />Silt fencing provides sediment control for the small fan portal disturbance area, <br />while vegetative cover provides control for the portion of the soil stockpile on the <br />