Laserfiche WebLink
Steep slopes (40-60~) are encountered within the Seneca II t4ine permit area. <br />A stipulation requiring variance approval from topsoil salvaging on those <br />areas which were too steep for heavy equipment was placed on the original <br />permit approval. A request for variance from topsoil salvaging of some steep <br />slope areas as identified on Exhibit 9-3, was submitted as part of the Wolf <br />Creek Permit Revision. This variance request for the Wolf Creek Permit <br />Revision Area was approved by the Division on September 25, 1984. In light of <br />this variance approval, the Division believes Peabody Coal Company has <br />satisfactorily satisfied the original stipulation. <br />Peabody Coal Company was originally (1981) approved to return approximately <br />1.4 feet (15-18 inches) of highly suitable topsoil to final regraded areas <br />during the life-of-mine operations. As addressed in the Wolf Creek Permit <br />Revision and approved by the Division, this depth of topsoil was reduced to <br />about 12.2 inches. To verify compliance of this topsoil replacement depth, <br />Peabody Coal Company committed to a final topsoil balance survey for the <br />life-of-mine. Peabody Coal Company proposes to continue to replace 12.2 <br />inches of highly suitable topsoil on final regraded areas during the remaining <br />operations at Seneca II Mine. To verify compliance, Peabody Coal Company has <br />expanded the quality control program as addressed on pages 9-40 and 9-41 of <br />the revised permit document with a commitment to annual balance surveys for <br />the life-of-mine. <br />A concern was identified during the initial permit renewal adequacy review <br />pertaining to potential acidity problems on some of the older Wolf Creek <br />reclamation areas. Peabody Coal Company is currently analyzing the topsoil <br />and spoil material from a variety of sampling locations and will submit test <br />results to the Division by February of 1987. Potential acid problem areas <br />within previously reclaimed areas will be more accurately delineated and <br />monitored during the 1987 field season. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XI I. Vegetation - Rules 2.04.10, 2.05.4(2)(e), 4.15 and 4.18(4)(1). <br />Information pertaining to vegetation information may be found in Volume V, <br />Tab 10 of the original permit application, as well as in Volume II, Tab 10 of <br />the permit renewal application. <br />The original Seneca II approval placed two vegetation-related stipulations on <br />the permit: establish an appropriate shrub density standard; and, an annual <br />submittal, with corresponding Division approval, of the seed mixtures proposed <br />to be used for revegetation. To establish an appropriate shrub density <br />standard, Peabody Coal Company conducted a study at the Seneca II Mine. <br />Results of this study were submitted to the Division, entitled "Native Shrub <br />Regeneration on Reclaimed Lands on a Surface Coal Mine in Northwestern <br />Colorado". On March 16, 1983, the Division approved a woody plant density of <br />1000 stems per acre. This standard will be averaged over the reclaimed areas <br />since shrub seedlings are planted in "groupings" or "islands" throughout the <br />reclaimed areas to increase wildlife habitat diversity. Peabody Coal Company <br />has satisfied this stipulation. <br />-32- <br />