2009-08-13_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (3)

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RULE 2 PERMITS Coal Processing Waste and Non-Coal Processing Waste Not applicable. Colowyo uses dry crushing facility for coal preparation; no coal processing waste, as defined in Rule 1.04 "DEFINITIONS", is produced from any part of the mining operations. Underground Development Waste Not applicable. Colowyo is not conducting an underground operation. Return of Coal Processing Waste to Abandon Workings Not applicable. No coal processing waste as defined in Rule 1.04 "DEFINITIONS", is produced from any part of the Colowyo mining operations. 2.05.4 Reclamation Plan The reclamation objective of Colowyo is to restore the mined area to a land use capability which will, be equal to or better than that which currently exists. -The first objectives of all reclamation practices are to stabilize the soils, maintain hydrologic and vegetation resources, and to restore the approximate original contour of the mined area. Ultimately, the areas being mined will be returned to their approximate original use as rangeland with watersheds having their approximate pre-mining character. In general, the long term appearance and usefulness of the mine plan area will be similar to that which would have been encountered prior to any mining. From the beginning planning stages of the Colowyo mine, environmental concerns and reclamation concerns and objectives have been an integral part of the mining and reclamation activities. In 1975, two years prior to the commencement of mining, Colowyo contracted with Colorado State University to conduct reclamation studies to develop methods to reestablish native plant species on disturbed lands, and in particular native shrubs. Also included in these studies were: runoff and sediment plots, mulch plots, fertilizer plots, seeding management practices, individual species seedings, and species combination seedings. The initial and last progress reports on these studies are included in Exhibit 10, Vegetation Information. The attainment of the reclamation goals will be satisfied by the implementation of the reclamation plan described below. Colowyo will combine information from existing baseline conditions with the modern practices of reclamation technology to assure achievement of the reclamation objectives. The pre-mining condition of the permit area has been characterized through the collection of baseline data. After the identification of the pre-mining conditions, mining and reclamation commenced in 1976 according to the following sequence: (1) Removal of topsoil and vegetation (2) Removal of overburden; (3) Extraction of the coal resource; (4) Backfilling, grading, and re-contouring of the surface to its approximate original contour; (5) Reestablishment of surface drainage patterns; (6) Topsoil Replacement; and (7) Revegetation and restoration of the affected land to the pre-mining land use. Such practices are expected to result in land use capabilities and productivity levels equal to or greater than those presently found. Rule 2 Permits 2.05-20 Revision Date: 6/23/08 Revision No.: MR-91