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• <br /> <br />• <br />4.0 MITIGATIVE MEASURES <br />Various designs of mine operations and facilities have been incorporated to minimize <br />disturbance of area hydrologic functions at the New Elk mine. <br />A survey of all water users of both surface and groundwater has been made and an <br />assessment of potential impacts completed. This information is contained in the mine <br />permit document. <br />The primary mitigative measure is the surface water control plan which is discussed in <br />the mine permit document. This plan provides for the use of ditches and impoundment <br />structures to decrease sediment levels generated from the surface facilities area. These <br />affected areas include mine discharges, refuse disposal areas, coal stockpiles and <br />sediment control from disturbed areas. <br />Areas outside the surface water control plan are either seeded, mulched, and protected <br />with straw bale dikes or silt fences, or have previously been vegetated or graveled for <br />erosional stabilization. Minimization of disturbance is a long-term objective at the site. <br />A remediation plan was implemented at the site of former underground storage tanks to <br />decrease organic concentrations of groundwater and soil. The remediation activities have <br />been completed and the system has been removed. <br />A spill prevention control plan has been prepared and can be implemented as situations <br />arise. Generally, the plan calls for containing any potential spills (i.e., oil, diesel fuel, <br />gasoline, etc.) and preventing the material from contaminating surface and/or <br />groundwater. No materials are currently stored on-site. <br />Monitoring of area hydrologic functions will continue at the mine. This is an important <br />mitigative measure because it provides for identification of potential impacts and <br />corrective actions to be taken. <br />Reclamation plans have been developed to restore surface lands and drainage. Those <br />plans are discussed in detail in the mine permit document. <br />45