Laserfiche WebLink
original cut to achieve the desired slope. An attempt to reduce the <br />• face cut by blasting material from above the cut would probably cause <br />slumping of material from the entire height of the canyon. Hauling the <br />needed backfill material in from other sites would only create <br />additional surface disturbance. <br />The mandate of Section 515(b)(3) of the Surface Mining Control and <br />Reclamation Act to restore the land to the approximate original contour <br />with all highwalls eliminated contains an inherent contradiction when it <br />is applied to the North Fork of the Gunnison River canyon, with its <br />natural bench and steep topography. In such terrain, elimination of the <br />highwall would not restore the land to approximate original contour, <br />since its original contour, in many areas, was a natural "cliff" which <br />was similar in its contour to a highwall. Consequently, Bear Coal <br />Company feels that the Mine No. 2 face-up area should remain as part of <br />the post-mining topography following partial backfilling. <br />• Reclamation work on the face-up areas will require special care. The <br />benches and the portal face-up above the mine entries will be stabilized <br />with jute netting and reseeded. All slopes will be broadcast seeded <br />with broadcast seeders using a rate double that found in Table 1, <br />Proposed Seed Mixtures. Following seeding, shrub species, will be <br />transplanted at the rate of 400 stems per acre. A jute netting will be <br />spread over the slopes as a mulch and soil stabilization practice. <br />Office Facilities and Other Surface Structures. A minimum of earthwork <br />will be necessary for the regrading of the surface facilities area. All <br />facilities will be removed at the conclusion of mining. . Building <br />foundations will be removed. Foundation material will be broken up and <br />hauled back into the mine workings before sealing of the portals. <br />Following the removal of the structures and the foundations, dozers or <br />graders will be used, where necessary, to reshape the area to produce a <br />surface similar to the pre-mining topography. Equipment will rip or <br />• scarify the surface to achieve a rough or furrowed condition along the <br />contour. Smooth compacted surfaces will be avoided. <br />-25- <br />