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<br /> <br />xX. Operations on Steep Slopes <br />The Division proposes to approve a variance from meeting approximate original contour for <br />reclaimed areas pursuant to Rule 2.06.5. The application detailing responses to all applicable <br />sections of Rule 2.06.5(2) can be found in Appendix D of the permit application. A letter <br />dem~~nstrating approval by the U.S. Forest Service, the surface land owner, can be found on page <br />17iv of the permit application. <br />The operator provided appropriate geotechnical analysis and proposed restored slope <br />configurations that achieve a static safety factor of 1.3 or greater, pursuant to Rule 4.27.4(1). The <br />geotE;chnical analysis was submitted in two parts. The first part was a February 10, 1983 report <br />by Rocky Mountain Geotechnical entitled "Stability Investigation-Mine Area-Blue Ribbon <br />Minf;", which can be found in Appendix D of the permit application. The second part was <br />Appendix 1 B, dated September 6, 1984, which was submitted as part of Technical Revision PN <br />C-047-81, which had an original submittal date ofAugust 9, 1984. In Technical Revision PN C- <br />047-;81, the operator committed to using option 2 of the February 10, 1983 report. The <br />engineer's final certification was submitted to the Division in a letter dated October 28, 1986 in <br />which it was stated that the mine bench stabilization project was performed in accordance with <br />the designs contained in the August 9, 1984 Technical Revision PN C-047-81 and the September <br />6, 1984 Appendix 1B. <br />The :stabilization of the slope below the mine bench was done in 1985 in accordance with the <br />technical revision request for mine bench stabilization. The mine bench was backfilled with <br />material obtained from the hillside directly south of the mine bench. Approximately 10,000 <br />cubits yards of material was removed from this site. Exhibit F-2, in the permit application, shows <br />the approximate final contours of both the mine bench and hillside borrow area. The mine bench <br />area backfill was placed on approximately a 15-degree slope from the invert ofthe drainage ditch <br />on the top of the mine bench. The hillside borrow area was not excavated to a slope greater than <br />25 degrees. This area was seeded and mulched in 1986. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.06.5(2), the Division finds that the Blue Ribbon Coal Company permit <br />application has satisfactorily addressed all of the requirements for permits incorporating <br />variaances from Approximate Original Contour Restoration Requirements for Steep Slope <br />Mining. <br />XXI. In Situ Processing <br />This :>ection does not apply to the Blue Ribbon Mine. <br />jrb <br />31 <br />