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West Elk Mine <br />MCC recognizes that proposed mitigation to surface waters, roads, vegetation, wetlands, etc. on <br />Forest lands in the SOD will be accomplished in accordance with the USFS stipulations specified <br />on the BLM Federal Lease C-1362. This document contains the stipulations agreed to by MCC <br />with the Forest regarding, in part, the mitigation requirements for mining related impacts within the <br />Forests Lands in the SOD area. <br />MCC will repair impacts of subsidence on surface drainages on USFS lands (or other private lands), <br />including revegetation as necessary to control erosion. For any impacts occurring on USFS lands, <br />MCC will consult the USFS immediately to determine a) The level of mitigation needed, and b) The <br />feasibility of employing the proposed nutigations. Should these impacts occur on USFS lands, <br />MCC, in conjunction with the USFS, will evaluate the impacts on a case by case basis to assess the <br />most appropriate mitigation. MCC will seek Forest Service approval for any mitigations) on USFS <br />lands. <br />If stream channels are impacted by subsidence, efforts will be made to repair the channel to ensure <br />that flow continues in the channel. If cracking, headcutting or significant channel incising occurs, <br />MCC will evaluate the channel morphology and prepare a mitigation plan. Mitigation may require <br />the sealing of fractures, if they occur in the stream channel, with bentonite/soil mixes to stop <br />water loss, excavating ridges or high areas created by subsidence within the stream channel that <br />impede flow, and redirecting flow, if necessary, back into the original channel if diverted due to <br />subsidence. Temporary culverts in ditches and streams may also be used to bridge surface cracks <br />while the best method to seal the fractures is determined. <br />If stream courses are blocked by mining induced slide movement, MCC will use hand tools or <br />appropriate heavy equipment to reopen affected channels. The necessary permits to perform such <br />work will be obtained prior to performing mitigation. Other mitigation may include the <br />placement of straw bale dikes or silt fences below slide areas to reduce sediment loading. If <br />ponding occurs due to rockfalls or slides within the stream channels and is not determined to <br />create a hazard to the public, no additional mitigation is proposed. However, if the ponding <br />creates hazardous conditions, the structure creating the ponding may be breached or bypass <br />channel built. The mitigation work will only be accomplished after the appropriate permits are <br />obtained. <br />' ~ If ponding occurs within the stream channels due to dfferential'subsidenCe and' is not'd'eterinined ' ' ' ' <br />to create a hazard to the public, no additional mitigation is proposed. However, if the ponding <br />creates hazardous conditions, the structure creating the ponding may be breached or bypass <br />cham7el built. The mitigation work will only be accomplished after the appropriate pernlits are <br />obtained. <br />If subsidence of existing SOD wetlands raises the water table to a point where the wetlands are <br />in danger of destruction, the CDMG and Forest will be notified and appropriate actions be taken. <br />These actions may include excavating the portion of the channel that has created the damming <br />effect on the wetlands. No action may be appropriate where the ponding would result in an <br />overall increase in wetlands and creation of habitat that would benefit waterfowl and other <br />wildlife. <br />2.05-171 Revised June 2005 PRIO, Rev. March 2006; A/ay 2006 PRIO, Nov. 2006TR107, .9pri12007TR108 <br />