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Revised 11/85 <br />form. Instead of forming troughs, the slope will exhibit a slight <br />diminution or increase in slope through the transition zone from <br />subsided area to unsubsided area. The areas within the subsidence limit <br />will be slightly lower than the original terrain. The manner of sliding <br />in which this subsidence takes place does not result in repeated high <br />magnitude vibrations. The vibrations will tend to come to the surface <br />as single events of minor magnitude. <br />Tt is anticipated that subsidence at the Bear No. 3 Mine will have a <br />very minor effect on the stability of the ancient landslide materials <br />found in the area. The landslide area was also of concern during <br />earlier permitting of the Bear No. 3 Mine. Two (2) subsidence monument <br />stations have been placed on the landslide area as shown on the <br />Geology/Hydrology Map (Map 6). The monitoring of these stations will <br />provide information pertaining to subsidence and stability of the <br />landslide material. If landslide material is found to be moving, the <br />current mining activity can be examined to see if it could be the cause <br />• of landslide movement in the area. In the event that mining activity is <br />determined to be the cause of minor landslide movement, the mining plan <br />will be revised to minimize subsidence in the landslide areas, thereby <br />assuring that mining activity will have no effect on the landslide <br />material. In addition, if significant movement is recorded, Bear Coal <br />Company will work with the Division to determine if additional <br />subsidence monitoring stations are required or necessary. <br />Subsidence Effect on Wildlife Habitat and Rangeland. The mine plan <br />proposed at the Bear No. 3 Mine, allows for maximized pillar extraction <br />in the panels and extraction of barrier pillars upon retreat from the <br />mining area. The high recovery rates planned for the C coal seam will <br />result in pillar stumps crushing out after mining. The crushing of the <br />pillar stumps will allow area type subsidence. to take effect in the <br />post-mining area. The nearly complete extraction of the C coal seam <br />will eliminate sink hole type of subsidence commonly found in some room <br />• and pillar mining operations where pillar extraction is not conducted. <br />Although the subsidence reaching the surface could be as much as six <br />feet (6'), it will be continuous over nearly the entire area and, <br />therefore, the affect on wildlife habitat and rangeland will be minimal. <br />_27_ <br />