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. .. <br />surface will be returned to the undeveloped land-use classification which is the present <br />status of adjacent lands and the pre-mining land use of the disturbed area. <br />Somerset Mining Company conducted a detailed soil survey and vegetation survey of the <br />areas to be affected by development of the Sanborn Creek portals, haul road and conveyor <br />facilities. These surveys indicated that approximately 8,850 cubic yards of soil could be <br />salvaged from these areas and that vegetation in the portal area and along the <br />conveyor/haul road corridor was substantially the same as the surrounding vegetative types. <br />Soil salvaged from these areas will be used for reclamation activities. However, soil on the <br />new Sanborn Creek disturbance will not necessarily be replaced to the same original <br />thickness, as discussed in the Topsoil section below. <br />All surfaces will be returned to the approximate original contour (AOC) with two <br />exceptions. The Bear Creek and Hubbard Creek ventilation facilities will be backfilled only <br />to the extent practical, given the fact that these small facilities areas,are pre-existing and cut <br />into steep slopes. A variance from AOC has been granted in accordance with the <br />backfilling and grading provisions of the Regulations (see Section VII of this document). <br />Permanent waste piles will be blended into the surrounding topography. The main mine <br />access road will be left in place following mining in order to provide access to the Somerset <br />Cemetery and Elk Creek. The powerline access road and powerline corridor will be <br />reclaimed. <br />Following grading, all pre-law disturbed areas in the Elk Creek yard will have surface <br />material sampled to determine if it will be suitable for direct revegetation. The Sanborn <br />Creek disturbance will be sampled in a similar fashion. If it is found.thai the surface <br />material is not suitable, the area will be topdressed with suitable materials obtained from <br />excavation for reestablishment of the Elk Creek drainage from a borrow area near the <br />backfilled Elk Creek access portals or from topsoil stockpiles. Suitable plant growth <br />medium will be spread to a thickness of six inches. The area will then be seeded with the <br />approved seed mixture and mulched at the rate of 4,000 pounds of straw per acre. Straw <br />will be crimped along the contour_ It is anticipated that active mining operations will <br />continue for at least 15 years. Reclamation operations will begin immediately following the <br />decision to close the mine. <br />Santrom Creek Mine 10 Permit Revision No. 3 <br />