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Due to the continuing use of most of the surface facilities, much of the disturbed area will not <br />be cleared of structures and reclaimed until the completion of mining. When actual coal <br />extraction ceased, the portals were temporarily sealed. Final sealing and backfilling has not <br />occurred at this time (February 2009). The bench areas will be graded to the approximate <br />original contour. The disturbed areas will be topsoiled (depending on the area) or ripped, then <br />seeded and mulched to establish a vegetative cover of a variety consistent with surrounding <br />vegetation. The stream channel diversion of the Middle Fork of the Purgatoire River, which <br />was approved under Permit Revision #1, is permanent and will remain as constructed. <br />Monitoring has demonstrated that this work was successful and the reconstructed channel is <br />stable. <br />Topsoil was salvaged from the disturbed area above the RDA during each successive <br />movement of the clean water diversion ditch above the RDA. This material will be used in the <br />reclamation of the RDA. A topsoil borrow area in the West Mine area, in addition to stockpiled <br />topsoil, will be used to reclaim the areas of the existing and proposed surface facilities. Due to <br />previous disturbance prior to the enactment of the Colorado Surface Coal Mining Reclamation <br />Act, very little topsoil is available for use during reclamation of areas previously disturbed. <br />Permitted disturbed areas, underlain by refuse, whether pre-law or post-law, will receive <br />topsoil prior to re-seeding and mulching. Permitted disturbed areas not on refuse material will <br />be ripped prior to reseeding and mulching. See Maps 15 and 16 for specific identification of <br />these two types of disturbed areas. <br />The post-mining land use is rangeland for most of the disturbed area and wildlife habitat <br />(upland and riparian) for the remainder of the disturbed area. These land uses are compatible <br />with the surrounding uses. The proximity of the mine site to the Purgatoire River and the <br />heavily forested areas to the south indicate a high probability of wildlife use following <br />reclamation. Riparian vegetation as well as native grasses and shrubs are planned.