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designated FW-I , which provides two months' storage capacity for potable and <br /> domestic water uses . Another freshwater pond, FW-2, has not been constructed <br /> at this time and is not planned for construction during this permit term. <br /> Topsoil storage areas are located on the east side of the surface facilities. <br /> This is known as the main topsoil stockpile and will be used during <br /> reclamation to cover the majority of the disturbance to a depth of 12 to <br /> 18 inches . Other topsoil and subsoil piles are located south of the lower <br /> refuse pile. These piles will primarily be used to cover the refuse pile with <br /> 18 to 24 inches of soil . <br /> The permit area covers approximately 4,276 acres . Of this total , 104.5 acres <br /> are disturbed, which primarily includes surface facilities. The major portion <br /> of the permit area, 2,486 acres , is privately owned land, the rest being owned <br /> by Federal entities. Atlantic Richfield Company and Grand Mesa Properties <br /> Company are the majority land owners of the permit area for the West Elk Mine. <br /> Upon cessation of mining at the West Elk Mine, reclamation will return the <br /> disturbed land to a rangeland and wildlife habitat land use. Some reclamation <br /> activities will occur during the life of the mine as areas cease to be used <br /> for mining activities. During reclamation, the mine portals will be sealed, <br /> surface facilities removed, and the entire disturbed area will be returned to <br /> approximate original contour. The waste pile will be shaped to blend into <br /> adjacent topography. The mine area will then be smooth graded, and compacted <br /> areas will be ripped or scarified to eliminate slippage surfaces, establishing <br /> a suitable bond for the overlying seedbed material . Topsoil , which has been <br /> salvaged during construction of the surface facilities, will be redistributed <br /> over the disturbed area. Drainage control will be retained until the <br /> revegetation operation is underway and erosion is under control . Following <br /> the distribution of topsoil and final grading, the newly shaped surface will <br /> be prepared for planting. Surface preparation will loosen and roughen the <br /> surface by disking, harrowing, or dragging. Various conditioners and <br /> neutralizers may be used to modify the seedbed conditions to ensure successful <br /> establishment of a vegetative cover. The site will then be planted using West <br /> Elk' s Permanent and Riparian Seeding mix. Various species of shrubs will also <br /> be planted. <br /> -23- <br />