2008-12-30_PERMIT FILE - C1982057A (2)

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number of acres graded annually in a given pit is approximately equal to the number of acres disturbed annually. In certain circumstances, this generalization may not apply because of spoil material needed to achieve the designed postmining landform. For example, the backfilling and grading of box pit spoil, final highwalls, and deep ramps typically require the movement of large volumes of spoil for great distances and requires up to two years after coal removal for final grading. Also, grading of certain box cut spoil areas (where box cut material is spoiled on recoverable coal) will be temporarily delayed until the recoverable coal is stripped (see Exhibit 19-1). All of the acres graded in a given year are projected to be topsoiled and seeded as soon as operationally feasible based on the reclamation timetable and site conditions, and will represent reclaimed acres in Table 19-1. Soil replacement will be completed within one year following final grading, provided the area is not being used for facility or monitoring-related activities (i.e., items such as, but not limited to ramps, deadhead routes, light use roads, haul roads, ponds, drainages, diversions, boneyards, office, or shop areas). If final grade is achieved during fall or winter months, soil will be redistributed the following summer or fall to accommodate fall seeding. When final grade is accomplished during spring or summer months, soil will be redistributed by fall to accommodate fall seeding. A variance to Rule 4.14.1 (1)(c) is requested for select areas of the final dragline highwalls in existing and future mining area. The final highwalls in the A Pit areas were left open to accommodate auger mining. Augering has been completed in these areas and backfilling efforts are close to being completed. It is anticipated that the backfilling efforts will be completed by the end of 2003. SCC proposes to replace the auger mining technique with a highwall mining technique; however, the highwall miner mining plan at Seneca II-W was never initiated. With the decision to forego the highwall miner operation, the schedule for backfilling and grading the variance areas previously approved as part of PR-04 has been revised as shown below. • A Pit (Ridgeline Pit) - 1,600 feet of open pit to be backfilled by end of 2004 (approved in TR-46) - 1,600 feet of open pit to be backfilled by end of 2005 following highwall mining (approved in PR-04) 1,600 feet - backfilling to be completed by the end of 2005 APR-05) ~ Wadge Pit (Northern Area) 2,800 feet - backfilling to be completed in 2006 (dragline mined in 2002, HW mined in 2005/2006) (approved in PR-04) 2 800 feet - backfilling to be completed b~ the end of 2005 (PR-05) TR-61 6 Revised 10/08