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<br />Soil properties such as moisture content and particle size dictate the amount of dust generated from top- <br />soil salvage and replacement. In order to control dust in topsoil operations, haulage routes are watered <br />as needed to reduce dust emissions from scraper travel. Topsoil removal and replacement is done at <br />slow speeds further reducing dust emissions. Topsoil stockpiles are either seeded, or mulched and <br />seeded in the fall following construction to reduce wind erosion and attendant emissions. <br />Blasting is used to loosen overburden material and coal seams to facilitate removal of these materials. <br />This operation causes dust to be rapidly entrained in the localized area of the blast. The sequential <br />blasting practiced at the mine helps reduce the amounts of particulates released. <br />Blast hole drilling also contributes to fugitive emissions. Water injected drill suppression systems are <br />used on all overburden drills to control these emissions. <br />Roadsides, dam sites, drill sites, and retopsoiled spoil are all seeded in the fall to control fugitive dust <br />emissions. <br />Road surfaces are watered frequently to reduce dust levels. Three water trucks are used for road <br />watering to control emissions. The mine access road, office area and areas of the shop are paved which <br />also helps reduce dust emisssons. Appropriate chemicals (MgCo may be used to control dust in heavy <br />traffic areas. <br />Speed is restricted on all unpaved roads within the proposed mine plan area to no more than 40 miles per <br />hour with the average speed being under 30 miles per hour. Only authorized vehicles are allowed access <br />to roadways and a system of road closures has been imposed to prevent travel on roads that e)dsted <br />prior to active mine operations and are not needed to support mining activities.