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Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plan <br />Operations for the Hamilton Mine have ceased with the exception of reclamation activities. Mining <br />operations were conducted for approximately one year and the final blasting occurred on June 3, <br />1993. All coal was shipped to the Nucla Power Plant and in September, 1993, final reclamation of <br />the site commenced. Reclamation activities were completed that fall, and all 92 acres of disturbed <br />land were seeded. The site was re-seeded again in the fall of 1995 due to drought-like conditions in <br />1994 and 1995. Operations on the Hamilton Mine were conducted according to plans in section <br />2.05 of the permit. The Hamilton Mine recovered coal from two mining areas (1 and 3), although <br />they were permitted to mine in three. Mine area one is in the north part of the permit area, mine <br />area two to the south, and the third mine area lies to the east. <br />Coal was trucked from the mine via county roads GG 25 and HH 31 for delivery to the buyer. The <br />lower Dakota 4 seam is of minable thickness in the southern portion of the permit area. At a coal <br />production rate of 350,000 tons per year, the mine had an expected life of approximately 7 years, <br />from initial disturbance to final reclamation. <br />Some of the overburden layers were found to be acidic. The operator identified these overburden <br />layers and selectively handled them so none of this acid-producing material was replaced within <br />four feet (including topsoil cover) of the reclaimed surface. <br />Topsoil was replaced to a final thickness varying from 10 to 20 inches. The replacement plan is <br />more specifically addressed in Section 2.05.3(5) of the permit. Weed-free straw mulch was applied <br />to reclaimed areas following seeding. Mulch was applied at a rate of 4,000 pounds per acre and <br />crimped in along the contour. Following successful establishment of vegetation, all surface water <br />diversions and sediment ponds will be reclaimed. <br />Water Rights and Usage <br />The only adjudicated water right within one mile of the permit area is the B & W Spring No. 1, <br />located in Bramiers Draw approximately one quarter mile from the northwest corner of the permit <br />area. This spring provides water for stock watering downstream, and issues either from alluvial <br />material or from the Burro Canyon aquifer. The applicant will monitor this spring on a quarterly <br />basis in order to identify any possible impacts from the mining operation.