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seeded area, and either crimped in or tackified to the surface <br />After bond is released from the No. 5 portal area, the sediment ponds will be removed. Topsoil, which was <br />salvaged from the pond areas, will be used to reclaim the ponds. The ponds will be graded [o blend into the natural <br />topography and seeded with the pastureland (hayland) seed mixture. <br />No. SA Portal Areas <br />The No. SA portal was developed off a highwall from an abandoned surface strip mine. The previous surface mining <br />predated the present laws and regulations. As such, the manner in which the mining was conducted was quite <br />different from today's mining standards. No topsoil was salvaged for future reclamation work at the time this area was <br />affected. To overcome the topsoil deficiency, EC conducted an overburden-sampling program [o determine if any <br />zone of the overburden would serve as a better plant growth media than other zones. The overburden-sampling plan <br />was developed in consultation with the CMLRD. The sampling plan was to determine the physical and chemical <br />characteristics of the overburden. The results of the overburden-sampling plan are contained in Exhibit 27, No. SA <br />Portal Overburden Sampling Results. The results indicated that the top six inches of overburden could be removed <br />and stockpiled for later use as a plant growth media. <br />The above discussion was a brief review of the history of the No. SA portal area and was presented to give an <br />understanding of the unusual conditions existing at the sight. <br />The following is a discussion of the reclamation plan developed for the No. SA portal area: <br />All surface structures and facilities will be removed from the site. It is currently planned to dismantle the facilities and <br />place the unsalvageable material in the No. SA and No. 6 underground workings near the portal entries. This will <br />include but not be limited [o, the removal of the following: ventilation fans, multi-servicing building, electrical <br />substations, fuel island, compressor building and any materials stockpiled for servicing the mine such as timber or <br />cinderblocks. <br />Upon completion of the removal of the facilities and structures, the portal entries will be sealed according to the <br />approved MSI-IA plan. It is planned to use concrete from the dismantled coal silo and/or cinderblocks from the <br />dismantled fuel island and compressor building as a seal for the mine entries. No toxic or combustible material will <br />be used as sealing material. The use of the previously mentioned material does not present any potential for <br />contamination of ground water. <br />The portal faceup area will be backfilled with the material which surrounds the area. The post-mining topography of <br />the area is presented on the Reclamation Plan Map (Map 29). Upon completion of the backfilling operation, the plan[ <br />growth media will be redistributed over the area. The plant growth media will remain in place until it is used in <br />reclaiming the site. The media has a vegetation cover, which provides some protection from erosion. Also, no <br />vehicular traffic occurs in the area, which minimized degradation due to compaction. Prior to the backfilling and final <br />grading operations the plant growth media, top 6 inches of vegetated overburden, will be salvaged and temporarily <br />stockpiled adjacent to the site. The stockpiled plant growth media will have the appropriate signs placed upon it. <br />After completion of backfilling and final grading, the plant growth media will be redistributed over the area. The <br />backfilling operations will be left in a roughened condition, which will minimize slippage of the top dressing. <br />The area will then be seeded with the rangeland/wildlife habitat seed mixture. The seed mixture will be drill seeded at <br />a rate of 17.25 pounds PLS/acre. The seed will be applied with a rangeland drill If it is necessary to apply the seed <br />by the broadcast method, the seeding rate will be doubled. A straw mulch, applied at the rate of two tons/acre, will be <br />applied over the seeded site, and either crimped in or tackified to the surface. Contour ditches or furrows will be <br />constmcted on the reclaimed slope to reduce erosion. These ditches or furrows will be approximately 20 to 50 feet <br />apart and have check dams placed at periodic intervals. The ditches will be maintained until the vegetation becomes <br />Permit Revision 04-34 2.05-26 Revised 7/2/04 <br />