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pile. Phase II will contain 60,500 cubic yards of waste and require <br />approximately four (4) years to construct. Phases I and II are <br />separated by a natural ephemeral drainage channel. <br />IX <br />Phase III of the proposed waste pile plan consists of a plan to fill <br />the drainage separating East and West Ridges, as well as the <br />imposition of additional 530,000 cubic yards of material on top of the <br />original Phase I and II waste piles. This is projected to occur over <br />a life span of thirty-six (36) additional years. The total life of <br />the three phases will be forty-eight (48) years and encompass the <br />disposal of 720,500 cubic yards of processed waste. <br />The Division has approved Phase I of the proposed waste structure. <br />Phase I contains sufficient waste disposal area to accommodate the <br />mine's waste production during the next five to eight years. However, <br />Phases II & III of the proposed structure will have to be approved <br />prior to approval of future permit periods. There are several <br />specific aspects of the conceptual plans for Phases II and III which <br />may require significant effort to resolve. The applicant proposes a <br />subdrain to accommodate the surface flow of the ephemeral channel <br />separating the East and West Ridges. This subdrain will require <br />considerable geotechnical and hydrogeological justification and <br />specific final engineered design. In addition, stability analyses for <br />Phases II and III will be required prior to approval of either of <br />these facilities in later permit terms. COVCC understands that mining <br />can proceed only as long as a waste disposal site with capacity is <br />available and permitted by the Division. <br />In September 1990, the operator began removing material from the West <br />Ridge waste pile and distributing it as product to a nearby power <br />plant. This operation ceased in October 1991 after approximately <br />40,000 cubic yards had been removed. Placement of material onto the <br />West Ridge waste pile resumed in 1992. The pile currently holds <br />approximately 65,000 cubic yards of coal waste material. <br />fertilized and seeded each fall. <br />Reclamation of the waste pile has been and will remain concurrent with <br />its construction. As outlined in Sections 2.05.4<2)<a) and <e), a <br />3.75-foot non-toxic material/0.75-foot topsoil berm is constructed on <br />the outslopes after completion of each lift. The outslopes are <br />The disposal area will be inspected on a regular basis by a qualified <br />professional specialist under the direction of the professional <br />engineer, experienced in construction of similar earth and waste <br />structures. Inspection by this person has been approved by the <br />Division as appropriate (4.10.2(1)). <br />The operation is in compliance with this section. <br />Coal Mine Waste <br />Non-coal processing waste narrative may be found on pages 55 and 76 of <br />2.05, Volume 1. Underground development waste rock pile and <br />specifications are documented in Volume 6A. <br />-33- <br />