2008-01-11_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A (2)

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Fresh-Water Svstem Modification TCC's fresh-water system was modified to incorporate the million-gallon storage tank currently being used by Colorado Yampa Coal Company. A water-line was constmcted which ties-in the million-gallon tank, the existing well, and the new fresh-water borehole. The location of this system is shown on Map 24, Surface Facilities. Laying of the water-line required excavating a trench approximately 7 to 15 feet in depth. As shown on Map 24, Surface facilities, the majority of the ditch work occurred within previously disturbed areas. For the section of pipe laid in the disturbed azea, a work corridor, approximately 30 feet wide, was used. The material excavated from the trench was placed adjacent to it, and after the pipe was placed the trench was backfilled. For the undisturbed azea the topsoil, approximately 2 feet in depth, was removed from the work area, and temporarily stockpiled adjacent to it. After the trench was excavated, the water line placed, and the trench backfilled, the topsoil was replaced. A borehole, approximately 150 feet in depth, was drilled into the mine workings and cased. The borehole is approximately 12 inches in diameter, and the casing is a nominal 8" diameter. The annulaz space was grouted from the bottom to the top. The drill-pad required for this project was constructed on both disturbed and undisturbed land. The part constmcted on the undisturbed area required salvaging approximately 24 inches of topsoil. The topsoil was temporarily stockpiled adjacent to the pad. Once the system was working, the topsoil was redistributed and seeded with the rangeland seed mixture. A temporary access road was constructed to the drill-site across an undisturbed area. Approximately 28 inches of topsoil was salvaged from the road corridor and temporarily windrowed to the side. After drilling and setting the casing the road was reclaimed by blading the topsoil back over the azea, and the area seeded with the rangeland seed mixture. Any future access into the area will be along the existing railroad tracks. Given the limited amount of disturbance and rapid reclamation of the azea it is requested that this area be identified as a Small Area Exemption. Therefore, no sediment control system will be installed. After the system is no longer needed, the borehole will be grouted from the bottom to the top. An Octo plug will be placed 10 feet below the surface, and the remainder of the hole will be backfilled with soil material. Damage to the 8-inch fresh-water line into the mine required immediate repair. A backhoe was used to find the leak so that repairs could be undertaken. The pits dug by the backhoe were backfilled and the site(s) graded smooth and seeded with the approved mixture.. Seeding took place in the spring. A new hole was drilled approximately 100 feet to the east of the existing one. This required preparation of a drill- site, which included stripping topsoil from the drill-pad (approximately 100 x 100 feet) and stockpiling it adjacent to the pad. Also, mud pits were excavated to handle the drilling fluids required for drilling the hole. To the extent possible, the hole was drilled with air, or air mist, with very limited use of drilling mud or revert to complete the hole. Upon completion of this project the site was reclaimed, including backfilling the mud pit(s), grading the pad, redistributing the topsoil, and seeding the site. The seeding took place in the fall. In order to get the drill-rig to the site, the berm on the east end of the stoker pad was temporarily breached and the rig driven over the ground to the railroad tracks. This is noted as a ramp on Map 24. The ramp was back dragged after the rig exited the site, and the berm was reestablished. The new hole will be grouted, as per the approved plan, upon abandonment of the system. A trench was excavated from the Wasterock Pond to Location 3, and a 4-inch waterline connected and buried to allow an alternative point of supply for the water system. A trench, shown on Map 24, was excavated to allow connection of the new fresh water supply borehole to the existing water supply line, and to connect the two boreholes. The topsoil was set aside, the overburden removed, and the tie in line laid in the trench. The trench was then backfilled, the topsoil replaced and the site seeded. In order to allow for long term access to the borehole a 72-inch culvert was placed azound the well head. Upon abandonment of the system the hole will be grouted and the culvert pulled. The void remaining from the culvert will be backfilled by the overburden that had been pushed up azound it. The site will be seeded in the fall, or first available growing season. TR07-59 2.05-51 02/27/07