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Access to the mine property is controlled. Therefore, unauthorized persons are not likely to have access <br />to the pit area. The area will not be leased for grazing, thus stock will not be endangered by the open <br />pits. Sedimentation ponds in Ute and Johnson Gulch will be maintained during the temporary <br />abandonment as a safeguard against the contribution of suspended solids to area streams. A seed <br />mixture of alfalfa, intermediate wheatgrass and pubescent wheatgrass was seeded on the recontoured <br />spoils and prestrip area to aid in erosion control. Additionally, contour ditches and other appropriate <br />erosion control structures and practices approved within this permit application are used as needed to <br />control surface runoff. <br />If for some unforeseeable reason it becomes necessary to abandon an area, the final highwall and pit will <br />be eliminated in accordance with applicable regulations. Portions of each of the last three spoil rows and <br />overburden material from the pits highwall would be used to backfill the pit (refer to Figure 3.5-2). Gra- <br />dients and sideslopes would be similar to pre-mining drainageway gradients and sideslopes for the <br />general area. Depending upon equipment availability and economics, draglines, trucks, shovels, back- <br />hoes, scrapers or conveyors would be used to move the material. A more detailed plan for the specific <br />pit closure and elimination of the specific final highwall will be submitted within 60 days of becoming <br />aware of the need for abandonment. <br />3.5.6 Covering Coal and Acid or Toxic Forming Material <br />The only waste needing special attention is natural pre-existing coal wastes. These coal wastes occur <br />from coal croplines, oxidized or burned areas, and seams that are too thin to economically mine. When <br />coal of this nature is encountered, the dragline operators cast the wasted coal into the spoil piles in such <br />a manner to ensure the coal is adequately covered with overburden material. <br />It is not anticipated that any coal stockpiles will be abandoned during the permit period. However, if such <br />action should become necessary, the coal that is not of sufficient quality to deliver per contractual <br />agreements will be hauled back to the pits in accordance with the disposal criteria described in Section <br />4.3 and covered with at least four feet of non-toxic material. <br />?J <br />Revision: <br />3-46 Approved: