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Construction of the haullplant access road began with the clearing of trees and brush. Topsoil was then <br />removed to the approximate depths indicated on Maps 70-75 and stockpiled for future reclamation. <br />Stockpile locations and quantities are shown on Maps 70 through 75. <br />When embankments were constructed on slopes exceeding 1v:3h, the existing ground was plowed, <br />stepped or if in rock keyed in to increase stability. When embankments were constructed on slopes <br />which were less than 1v:3h the existing ground was scarified prior to placement of fill materials. Only <br />clean materials not containing coal or organic material were used for embankment construction. <br />Materials that contained less than 25 percent of rock larger than six inches were spread in successive <br />uniform layers not exceeding twelve inches in thickness before compaction. Where materials consisted <br />of large size rock or fragmented materials which precluded placing in 12-inch layers, embankments were <br />constructed in uniform layers not exceeding the thickness of the average size of the rock used. Layers <br />did not exceed 36 inches in thickness. The final or top layers of embankments were constructed of <br />materials which were spread and compacted in 12-inch lifts. The crushed rock base course and <br />surfacing were placed in lifts not exceeding 12 inches and compacted to achieve the required densities. <br />After road construction was completed, all cut and fill slopes were mulched and seeded to minimize <br />erosion. <br />A plant access road parallels the portion of the haul road west of the county road. The entire road was <br />completed prior to operation of the preparation plant as all coal processing waste had to be disposed of <br />in the refuse area. The access and haul roads between the D Portal Area and County Road 65 were <br />widened in five locations. These "blisters" (see Map 56) were approved for disposal of cess cut found <br />in the D Portal Area. Presently, the bl' xtra storage s ace when needed. They will be <br />reclaimed as if they were part of the haul and access road. Section V,G describes backfilling, contouring <br />and reclamation of surface areas which are disturbed incidental to mining activities (this includes the <br />haul road, access road and blisters). <br />The haul road crosses Rio Blanco County Route 65, a lightly traveled, paved/graveled county road. <br />The haul road crosses two ephemeral streams, the one in Scullion Gulch and a tributary stream to Red <br />Wash. The road crossed the Scullion Gulch stream three times. Any alignment which only crossed <br />Scullion Gulch once required sharp curves and excessive side hill cuts. The alignment selected <br />minimized terrain disturbance as well as provided a safe road. The drainage structures required at <br />these major crossings all had open areas exceeding 35 square feet. In accordance with Section <br />4.03.1(4)(e)(i), these crossings were designed for the maximum expected discharge from 20-year, <br />24-hour storm events. The value of maximum rainfall used fora 20-year, 24-hour storm was 2.0 inches. <br />The maximum expected discharge has been calculated based on the technique presented in the SCS <br />National Engineering Handbook, Section 4, "Hydrology." Soils information used in calculating runoff <br />was taken from a soils survey of the area done by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). <br />Mine Permit Renewal #3 (Rev. 6/99} tV-15 <br />