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over 16.7 million tons of coal is projected. Annual production through 2003 ranged from a <br />low of 376,700 tons to a maximum 990,300 tons, with a projected maximum annual <br />production level of 1,741,995 tons during the remainder of the mine life. <br />Topsoil is removed and stockpiled or, when possible, live-handled. Following topsoil removal <br />the overburden is blasted. Using the dragline, initial box cut spoil is placed onto previously <br />stripped but unmined ground creating a temporary overburden stockpile with each successive cut <br />going into the previous pit after coal has been removed. The resulting spoils are graded to <br />approximate original contour, topsoiled and seeded. Within scattered designated locations, areas <br />of one to two acres in size receive concentrated planting and seeding of native shrubs and seeding <br />of native forbs. Grasses are not seeded within these locations, in order to minimize competition <br />between the relatively quick developing and competitive grasses and the slower growing woody <br />plants. A number of the concentrated shrub seeding areas are to be fenced to protect seedling <br />shrubs from excessive browsing by elk. The revegetation plan associated with PR-3 includes a <br />commitment and detailed design plans for an aspen reestablishment study, which will evaluate the <br />feasibility of transplanting native aspen saplings with variable soil treatments and irrigation <br />application rates. If the study identifies successful approaches, the revegetation plan will be <br />amended in the future to incorporate the selected practices on remaining areas to be reclaimed. <br />Raw coal is loaded onto haul trucks in each pit. The trucks will travel along the permitted haul <br />road to County Road 53. The trucks continue on County Road 53 to the tie-across haul road <br />which provides direct access to the Public Service of Colorado generating station at Hayden, <br />Colorado. Coal may also be trucked to the Hayden-Gulch Loadout which is next to the Tie- <br />Across Haul Road. <br />All disturbed area runoff is controlled, treated and conveyed throughout the site to ensure <br />compliance with applicable laws. Sediment pond 006 provides sediment control for disturbance <br />within the south portion of the original mine permit area. Ponds GOS and 009 treat runoff <br />primarily in the northern portion of the original mine permit area. Sediment ponds 015, 016, <br />016A, and 017 treat the runoff from the southern extension area. Sediment pond 016A was <br />constructed in series immediately up-gradient from Pond 016, to provide additional detention <br />capacity for the expanded disturbance approved within PR-3. <br />No crushing, screening or washing of coal is proposed. Since no coal processing is planned, the <br />operation will not produce coal mine waste. Non-coal waste will be disposed of offsite at an <br />approved dump site. <br />Upon cessation of mining activities the following will occur; surface facilities will be removed, <br />all surface disturbances including variance areas will be regraded to approximate original <br />contour, topsoil will be redistributed over the area and the area will be revegetated. Reclarnation <br />success will be determined by statistically comparing the reclaimed areas to approved reference <br />areas and technical standards. <br />Seneca II-W Findings Document 14 November 17, 2004 <br />Permit Revision No. 4 <br />