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Surface runoff from the disturbed area is treated by five ponds. MB-1 is a <br /> large upper pond that holds; mine discharge water and drainage from the upper <br /> areas of the site including the mine bench. NB-2R is the large lower pond <br /> which treats drainage from a majority of the site, including the lower refuse <br /> pile. MB-3 is a small lower pond which treats drainage from the silo storage <br /> area. MB-4 serves the train loadout area and MB-5 treats drainage at the old <br /> Bear Mine site. Mountain Coal Company also has a freshwater pond, designated <br /> FW-1, which provides two months' storage capacity for potable and domestic <br /> water uses. Another proposed freshwater pond, FW-2, has not been constructed <br /> at this time and is not planned for construction during this permit term. <br /> Topsoil storage areas are located on the east side of the surface facilities. <br /> This is known as the main topsoil stockpile and will be used during <br /> reclamation to cover the majority of the disturbance to a depth of 12 to <br /> 18 inches. Other topsoil and subsoil piles are located south of the lower <br /> refuse pile and on the reclaimed benches. These piles will primarily be used <br /> to cover the refuse pile with 18 to 24 inches of soil. <br /> The permit area covers approximately 5,375 acres. Of this total, 104.5 acres <br /> are disturbed, which primarily includes surface facilities. Surface lands are <br /> privately and federally Owned. Atlantic Richfield Company and Larry and <br /> Elaine Mautz are the majority land owners of the permit area for the West Elk <br /> Mine. <br /> Upon cessation of mining at. the West Elk Mine, reclamation will return the <br /> disturbed land to a rangeland and wildlife habitat land use. Some reclamation <br /> activities will occur during the life of the mine as areas cease to be used <br /> for mining activities. During reclamation, the mine portals will be sealed, <br /> surface facilities removed, and the entire disturbed area will be returned to <br /> approximate original contour. The waste pile will be shaped to blend into <br /> adjacent topography. The mine area will then be smooth graded, and compacted <br /> areas will be ripped or scarified to eliminate slippage surfaces, establishing <br /> a suitable bond for the overlying seedbed material. Topsoil, which has been <br /> salvaged during construction of the surface facilities, will be redistributed <br /> over the disturbed area. Drainage control will be retained until the <br /> revegetation operation is underway and erosion is under control. Following <br /> the distribution of topsoil and final grading, the newly shaped surface will <br /> be prepared for planting. Surface preparation will loosen and roughen the <br /> surface by disking, harrowing, or dragging. Various conditioners and <br /> neutralizers may be used to modify the seedbed conditions to ensure successful <br /> establishment of a vegetative cover. The site will then be planted using West <br /> Elk's Permanent and Riparian Seeding mix. Various species of shrubs will also <br /> be planted. <br /> 12 <br />