2008-09-05_PERMIT FILE - C1981012A (2)

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• 7. Annual Surveys for Diversion. In the fmal design, the Division stipulated that a lesser amount of rip-rap could be placed providing WFC submitted a bond to cover additional rep-rapping should the channel become unstable. In order to evaluate stability WFC committed to an annual survey of the diversion with results submitted to the Division. This survey was completed in February of each year. After a 10 yeaz monitoring program, channel stability has remained stable. No further survey of this diversion will be conducted. In order for WFC to maintain Purgatoire River culverts, WFC submitted a revision to the Division during this permit term. Following is a summary of this revision. WFC will clean the access road culverts constructed in the Purgatoire River between September 1 through October 15 and February 1 through Mazch 15. The Division will be notified in the event WFC requires emergency cleaning. Normal cleaning will be done during low flow conditions. The Middle Fork of the Purgatoire low flow is generally from mid- August through mid-April. Peak flows occur from mid-April through July. Gravels removed from the river bed will be used as road base, rip-rap or bedding for underground rails. Excavation of gravels will naturally alter the streambed. Every effort will be made to minimize disturbance. • WFC will either use rubber-tired or crawler loading equipment to remove gravels from the upstream portion of the culverts. The amount of time for maintenance activities will be dependent on the amount of gravel deposited. WFC estimates 1 to 2 days will be necessary to facilitate cleaning. The volume of gravel will be dependent upon the amount of deposition. Normally, WFC will not stockpile the gravels removed from culvert maintenance. They will be used for road base or ballast. If necessary, potential stockpile azeas at the New Elk will be located just east of the culverts being cleaned and to the north of the scrap yazd outside of the buffer zone to the river. The action of cleaning the culverts is a mitigative action to comply with the surface mining rules and regulations. During 1981 and 1982 a new ventilation shaft was designed, permitted and constructed in Apache Canyon (see Map 3, Mine Plan). A description of the facility is presented in Exhibit 25, Apache Canyon Ventilation Shaft. All appropriate Hiles and regulations concerning operation, maintenance and reclamation have been included under this permit term. During 2006 plans were submitted to MSHA for approval to re-enter the New Elk underground mine to evaluate the feasibility of reopening the operation. As determined by measuring water levels in the East Portal airshaft, the mine has flooded to an • elevation of 7220 feet. Prior to re-entry, a temporary vertical turbine pumping system will be installed in the east portal airshaft to dewater the mine to an elevation of 7180 TR-49 2.05-18 (Revised 10-3-06)