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• The attainment of the reclamation goals will be satisfied by the implementation of the <br />reclamation plan described below. Colowyo will combine information from existing baseline <br />conditions with the modern practices of reclamation technology to assure achievement of the <br />reclamation objectives. The pre-mining condition of the permit area has been characterized <br />through the collection of baseline data. After the identification of the pre-mining conditions, <br />mining and reclamation commenced in 1976 according to the following sequence: <br />(1) Removal of topsoil and vegetation <br />(2) Removal of overburden; <br />(3) Extraction of the coal resource; <br />(4) Backfilling, grading, and re-contouring of the surface to its approximate <br />original contour; <br />(5) Reestablishment of surface drainage patterns; <br />(6) Topsoil Replacement; and <br />(7) Revegetation and restoration of the affected land to the pre-mining land use. <br />Such practices are expected to result in land use capabilities and productivity levels equal to <br />or greater than those presently found. <br />At the outset, it is imperative to appreciate that the reclamation plan defined in this section is <br />to be implemented in a permit area where there has been disturbance from surface coal <br />mining and reclamation operations (since 1976) and prior (now abandoned) underground <br />operations. There are certain areas which are now undergoing backfilling and regrading. <br />• Revegetation techniques have been applied to all previously mined or otherwise disturbed <br />lands. The reclamation timetable for the various aspects of the mining operation are indicated <br />in Section 2.03 on Table I., Affected Areas For Mining and Reclamation. As indicated in <br />Section 2.05.3, the east half of the coal lease will be mined from north to south. To meet the <br />maximum coal recovery requirements of [he U.S. Bureau of Land Management and to avoid <br />disturbing the area twice, a strip of land 500 to 600 feet wide along the Streeter drainage will <br />be left unreclaimed until the west half of the lease is mined (see Spoil <br /> <br />2.05-39 <br />