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questions should be asked about whether the culvert is sufficiently sized to <br />remain as a permanent structure, maintenance of the culvert upon final bond <br />release, and whether access should be restricted to the mine bench since it <br />has shown stability problems in the past. <br />Topsoil was not completely salvaged from all disturbed areas. Much of the <br />mine site was disturbed prior to any such statutory or regulatory requirement; <br />therefore, no obligation existed to salvage topsoil. However, soil surveys <br />conducted by the operator have indicated that the existing disturbed soils are <br />suitable as a plant growth medium. This material was stripped prior to the <br />backfilling operation, temporarily stockpiled, and upon completion of <br />backfilling and smooth grading it was redistributed over the disturbed areas <br />along with topsoil materials previously salvaged to establish an adequate <br />seedbed for vegetation. <br />The permit area covers 340.8 acres. Of this total, 240 acres were affected, <br />20.4 acres were disturbed, and 19.2 acres have been reclaimed to date. The <br />ownership of the minerals and land includes both private and federal entities. <br />-10- <br />