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• IV.D.3 Disposal Site There are two disposal sites for use during operations: (1) a sanitary landfill <br />referred to as Halandras Trash Dump, and (2) the coal refuse disposal site. This section discusses <br />the coal refuse disposal site. The landfill is further discussed in Section V.6.3. <br />l J <br />The coal refuse disposal site meets general site requirements of Section 4.10. It is located on some <br />of the most moderately sloping and naturally stable areas available. Additional problems are <br />circumvented in that slopes are less than specified for valley or head-of-hollow fill. The hydrologic <br />study of the disposal site indicated that springs and perennial water courses are absent in the area; <br />and the geotechnical investigation for the disposal site indicated that there is no ground water <br />present. Holes were drilled to 44 feet deep in the lowest part of the Refuse Disposal Area and no <br />water was found. See Illustration 21. Thus, underdrain systems to prevent infiltration of water into <br />the refuse bank were not required. <br />The Refuse Disposal Area is sub-divided into 11 sub-areas. Experience with the refuse has shown <br />that more than one sub-area must be used at a time to allow drying of the refuse prior to compacting <br />in lifts. Drying becomes a particulady difficult problem during the winter months. It is anticipated <br />that about 120 acres may be in use at any one time. The first sub-area to be opened was RP-1. <br />RP-2/3 had to be opened in 1985 due to the length of time the coal refuse took to dry before it could <br />be compacted into lifts. RP-4 was opened in 1990 and RP-5A was opened in 1994. In 1998, <br />through TR~2, it was approved to combine the sub-area RP-2/3 and RP-4. This would prolong the <br />life of the refuse pile by giving an additional 274 acre-feet of storage capacity, delay opening of the <br />next refuse pile, eliminate construction and maintenance of two permanent ditches i.e., RP-2/3 west <br />ditch and RP-4 east ditch and result in an easier and more cost effective reclamation of these areas. <br />Map 150 shows the configuration of the combined' pit. The existing Ponds RP-2/3 and RP-4 were <br />deepened to contain the 10-year, 24-hour event, and the spillways are adequate to pass the 25- <br />year, 24-hour event. See Maps 79 and 80 and Illustration 44 for SEDCAD runs for ditches, revised <br />ponds, and culvert design. <br />In general, as a subarea becomes full, it will be closed and the reclamation will be completed as the <br />subarea adjacent to it is opened. However, more than iwo subareas may be open at the same time <br />if the refuse handling need (drying and compacting) dictates. As specified in the black-footed ferret <br />reintroduction and management plan, surveys for black-footed ferrets are no longer required of the <br />operator. Federal and state agencies cooperating in ferret recovery have assumed responsibility for <br />conducting appropriate clearance surveys. However, BME is encouraged to continue to appraise <br />BLM and DMG of surtace use activities that may influence ferrets or ferret habitat. The cooperating <br />agencies also encourage BME to participate as an active partner in ongoing ferret monitoring <br />activities. Existing avenues of communication and cooperation between BME and federal/state <br />agencies is considered adequate for the continued protection of this species. Reclamation will be <br />started as soon as the refuse is brought to final grade in the area being worked. The layout of the <br />Refuse Disposal Area is indicated on Map 76. The sub-areas that are already constructed or are in <br />TR60 (7/2004) IV-16 <br />