2007-07-30_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981041

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i The North Decline was backfilled and graded in the spring of 1992: Material that had been piled above the portal iazea was dozed into the decline. A fair approximation of extrapolated original contours was achieved. The North Decline had been constructed prior ~o the Act so accurate records of pre-mine contours do not exist. The final reclaimed contours blend Hiith landforms observed in the undisturbed surrounding landscape. The drainage channel ofthe unnamed drainage was reestablished through the regraded azea and riprapped with 12-inch or greater riprap ~~in the 7.5 percent slope areas and 6 inches or greater on the 2.5 percent grades. Some minor settling of the fill has occurred above the portal location since the initial backfilling and grading occurred, and some remedial grading has been performed to fill in settling cracks and ensure proper functioning of the sediment control system. Remaining backfilling and grading work is limited to removal oftemporary drainage control structures, and provision of berm breaks along the permanent channel h~erms to allow reclaimed area runoffto enter the channel. The North Portal i acilities area was fully reclaimed in 2002, with the exiieption oftemporary drainage control facilities, an electrical substation and power line, and portions Hof two topsoil stockpiles. In conjunction withfuture removal ofthe temporary upper diversion ditch and Sediment Pond 13, several approved ephemeral drainage channels will be constructed across the reclaimed surface. Between 2000 and 2003 several other disturbed aeeas were fully reclaimed, including the 2 West Portals, South Fan, "B"Substation, the major portion of refuse area CRLIA-1, entirety ofCRDA-2, the CBA-1 and RSRDA Soil Borrow Areas, and northern segment ofthe ov:rland conveyor corridor. Soil Borrow Area CBA-2 was fully excavated and interim reclamation was completed. Final grading of CBA-2 will occur in conjunction with removal of Sediment Pond 1 1, and will entail re-alignment of the lower segment of the Coal Gulch drainage channel in the vicinity of Pond 11. Interim reclamation ofthe Coal Creek permanent diversion channel between the upper dip ~aection culverts and the large double culverts beneath Haul Road 4 was completed in 2002; final reclamation ofthe channel segment will occur in conjunction with future removal of Sediment Ponds 6 anti 10. Phase 1 bond release (SL-02) was approved in August 2003 for various disturbance areas. The decision documented backfilling and grading compliance for CRDA-2 and most of CRDA-1 (excepting the temporary road left open for further disposal), RSRDA slopes, Soil Borrow Area CBA- l and the RSRD''A Soil Borrow Area, South Fan disturbances, 2 West Portal disturbances, "B" Substation Site, the North Decline, the North Portal Facilities (excepting certain remaining support facilities and future drainage channel construction), and various other miscellaneous areas. Please refer to the SL-02 findings document for additional detail. VIII. Permits Incorporating Variances from Aooroximate Original Contour E;estoration Requirements for Steep Slope Mining,, Steep slopes as defined in Rule 1.04(125) exist in the South Portal disturbed area and they are depicted on Exhibit 6C. As allowed for in Rule 2.06.5, SCC has requested an AOC variance for these steep slopes to allow for an alternative commercial postmining land use. The specific findings required by Rule 2.06.5 and by Rule 4.27.4 are discussed below. I Steep slopes are defined as any slope above 20 degrees or such lesser slope as may be determined by the Board or Division after consideration of soil, climate and other char•tcteristics ofa region. Based on the reclamation plan proposed and information presented in PR-3, the Division has determined that the Roadside South Portal disturbed area (see Map Exhibit 6C) does qualify as Steep Slope Mining. The South Mine portals and mine bench area were constructed within a'small side canyon formed by Pertni[ Revision No. 3 ~~ Permit No. C-1981-041 July 30, 2007 ~ Page 40