2007-11-16_REVISION - C1981041 (6)

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Additional information on the wildlife in the area can be found in Tab I 1 of the permit application. Land Use Due to the long mining history of the area, and existence of the Cameo Power Plant adjacent to the North Portal mine facilities, current land use along the river and I-70 corridor in the mine vicinity is industrial. Wildlife habitat is the primary use on adjacent dry uplands and tributary canyons. The post-mining land use for the permitted area is wildlife habitat, with the exception that the Division approved, within Permit Revision No. 3, a postmining land use of "Industrial or Commercial" for a designated portion of the disturbed area within the South Portals facility area. Descrintion of the Operation and Reclamation Plans The general description of mine operations can be found in Tab 12 of the application; the reclamation plan in Tab 14. Mining by modern underground methods began in the permit area in 1974. Between 1974 and December 1999, when operations ceased, a total of 3,281 acres were affected by underground workings (including surface area encompassed by the projected 12 degree subsidence angle of draw). Total surface disturbance associated with the mining and reclamation operation is approximately 243 acres. Since December 1999, activity has been limited to reclamation, maintenance, and monitoring. The only operational activity approved is storage and rail loading and unloading of construction materials at the unit train loadout.. At present, (November 2007) mine portals have been sealed and extensive reclamation work has been performed. The approved permit does not include plans to reinitiate mining, and no future disturbance of previously undisturbed areas is proposed. Cameo Refuse Disposal Area No. 3 (CRDA-3) and ancillary facilities had been proposed prior to mine closure, and were to be constructed in Coal Canyon, west of CRDA-1. Disturbance associated with the facilities did not occur, and the permit has been amended to clarify that the facilities are no longer proposed or approved. Final reclamation is to be completed in all areas by the end of 2009. The reader is referred to the Division's February 10, 2000 Findings of Compliance Document for a discussion of the mining methods employed during active operations. Sediment Control System All surface runoff from disturbed areas is primarily routed through one of eight sediment ponds to prevent additional contributions of sediment to streamflow or runoff outside the permit area due to mining disturbances. Alternative sediment controls are utilized at a number of approved small area exemption sites. Within PR-3, the Division approved a reduction in size of Sedimentation Pond 8 at the South Portals Area, based on the extent of completed reclamation and vegetation establishment on the slopes of the RSRDA waste disposal site. Water Consumption Water usage during operations was from consumption in the mines, in the coal preparation plant, and in the surface facilities. Consumptive use is monitored and results included in the Annual Hydrology Report (AHR). Consumptive use will be minimal in the future because mining and washing of coal has ceased. Water use will be limited to dust control activities during reclamation and for operations at the unit train loadout (if the Permit Renewal No. 5 12 November 16, 2007