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The goals of the interim reclamation plan for the loadout were to minimize visual impact and to <br />prevent the topsoil pile from becoming contaminated. Visual impact was minimized through <br />revegetation that involved the planting of native and exotic ornamental species. Revegetation <br />commenced in 1980 and was in a state of maintenance by 1982. Topsoil was protected from <br />possible sources of contamination by relocating the pile to a protected area. In 1981, the topsoil <br />stockpiles were reshaped, fertilized and planted to protect them against erosion and <br />contamination. Additional protective measures, including drainage control and dust suppression, <br />were used to protect stockpiles located near coal loading structures. <br />The operator, then the Snowmass Coal Company, notified the Division of permanent cessation of <br />operations by letter of August 15, 1986. Final reclamation of the refuse area was completed in <br />1986. The reclamation included regrading the top bench and covering the refuse with one foot of <br />cover. Some of the soil used to cover the refuse pile was imported, because topsoil was not saved <br />during the early years of mine operation. In 1987, the rest of the mine site was reclaimed. The <br />surface facilities were removed and the portals, shafts, exploration holes, and wells were sealed. <br />On April 28, 1988, a discharge of iron-laden water was discovered entering North Thompson <br />Creek. The discharge was traced back to the No. 1 Mine portal seal and adjacent airshaft, which <br />were leaking as a result of increased hydrostatic pressures as the ground water was allowed to <br />return to its equilibrium level following the cessation of pumping. <br />The backfill in front of the No. 1 Mine portal seal was excavated to expose the seal and airshaft. <br />Two valved pipes were installed in the portal seal to control the seepage and route it to several <br />treatment ponds via a French drain. The seepage water entering the treatment ponds was treated <br />with sodium hydroxide in order to increase the pH and allow the iron to precipitate before the <br />water discharged to the creek. The treatment system was later modified to increase the residence <br />time of the seepage water in the treatment ponds. This was accomplished by elongating the <br />treatment ponds to increase their volume. The longer residence time resulted in the iron <br />precipitating out of the water, to below the NPDES effluent limits, without the sodium hydroxide <br />treatment, and chemical treatment was discontinued. <br />A plan for backfilling the No. 1 Mine portal was approved with Technical Revision No. 20 on <br />October 1, 1998. The Division's inspection of October 26, 1998 confirmed that the No. 1 Mine <br />main adit and ventilation shaft adit were backfilled, graded and topsoiled. <br />The final reclamation of the loadout area included grading and backfilling the disturbed areas. <br />The area was returned to its approximate original contours and restored to support agricultural <br />production. The loadout area reclamation was completed in 1987. <br />The main portion of the loadout was located north and east of the Roaring Fork River on land <br />known as the Diamond A parcel. The Diamond A Parcel was removed from the permit by the <br />Division's approval of TR-15 on February 1, 1994. <br />North Thompson Creek C-1981-025 <br />Permit Renewal 05 <br />12 May 2009 <br />10