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2.05.4 Reclamation Plan <br />• Reclamation at the Blue Ribbon Mine was performed during 1986. The sediment <br />control structures, the Hubbard Creek crossing and the access road to the No.5 pond <br />have not been reclaimed. <br />The three mine portals were sealed in accordance with MSHA regulations. Non- <br />combustible fill was placed in each portal for a minimum distance of 25'. An 8-inch solid <br />cinder block wall, covered with mortar forms the final seal, see plate 16. This wall was <br />notched into the roof ribs and floor to create a good seal. Major water inflows into the <br />mine have been at least 80' lower than the portals and no inflows have been seen in <br />portions of the mine higher than the portals. No detailed hydrologic studies have been <br />done to determine the hydrologic head in the mine subsequent to mining, but these <br />facts indicate that the water level will not reach the portal seals. <br />The surface facilities were removed late in 1985 and in 1986 and foundations <br />and other non-combustible, non-toxic material were used to backfill the portal bench. <br />In its midterm permit review dated June 12, 2000, the DMG determined a <br />variance from approximate original is not necessary because the deviation from the <br />original contour - as evidence in Exhibit F-2 or the permit - is relatively insignificant. <br />Appendix D presents a stability investigation of the mine area. <br />• The Operator backfilled the mine bench area with material obtained from the <br />undisturbed hillside directly south of the mine bench. Approximately 10,000 cubic yards <br />of material was removed from this site. The large rocks and steep slopes prohibited <br />initial salvage of growth media. Soil sampling for fertility, salinity and texture was done <br />on the reclaimed areas in order to amend the soil to assure revegetation success. <br />Exhibit F-2 shows the approximate final contours of both the mine bench area and the <br />hillside borrow area. The mine bench area backfill was placed on approximately a 15 <br />degree slope from the invert of the drainage ditch on the top of the mine bench which <br />left an approximate 35-foot highwall that is comparable to the approximate original <br />contours. The hillside borrow area was not excavated to a slope greater than 25 <br />degrees. The work was accomplished using a combination of a bulldozer and front end <br />loader. <br />The stabilization of the slope below the mine bench was done in 1985 in <br />accordance with the Technical Revision Request for Mine Bench Stabilization. This <br />area was seeded and mulched in 1986. <br />The access road to the mine bench was reclaimed using material cast over the <br />side during its construction. Excavators, dozers and loaders were used to accomplish <br />this work. <br />• <br />108 <br />(Revised 7/05) <br />M ~ ~T62/Y1 ~'`S <br />TR -~ y <br />f1 PPRovF 1/ 8~17~05 <br />