2011-01-13_REVISION - C1981038 (8)

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Because of limited space at the West Mine, East Roatcap Creek had been diverted through a 48 inch diameter culvert so that the West Mine portal bench could be built over the creek. When the mine bench was reclaimed, the East Roatcap Creek culvert and about 10 feet of cover soil were left in place. Two sediment ponds were built over the creek culvert for sediment control until the upper portion of the West Mine bench stabilizes with vegetation. Once this upper portion becomes stabilized, the buried culvert will be removed and the East Roatcap Creek will be reconstructed. Sedimentation Ponds - The Bowie No. 1 mine plan is designed to minimize the impacts of the project on the surface water hydrology of the region. Disturbed area drainage from the East Mine benches, parking area, west portal fill, and loadout site is collected and treated on the site. Four sediment ponds collect disturbed-area drainage from the mine benches. Another pond controls sediment generated by the West Ridge waste pile. One pond controls drainage from the timber storage area (i.e., training trailer area; run of mine coal stockpile area), and two ponds collect drainage from the disturbed areas of the loadout, truck scales, and highway coal stockpile area. The West Mine portal bench area drained to one sedimentation pond except for exempted portions of the fill face and the ventilation fan facilities, which had small area exemption waivers. With the reclamation work at the West Mine portal bench area, the backfilled and graded area now drains to two sedimentation ponds. Small area exemptions have also been approved with appropriate demonstrations, for the original mine ventilation bench, the training trailer fill outslopes (now reclaimed), and the loadout/railroad fill outslopes. Details can be found in the approved permit application, Volumes 8 and 8A. Alternative design criteria and specifications have been approved for use in sediment pond design and/or construction. This decision is based on a thorough analytical demonstration by a qualified professional engineer that the resulting sediment pond will be environmentally sound and structurally stable, taking into consideration physical, climatological, and other characteristics of the site (4.05.6(11)). Acid-Forming and Toxic-Forming Spoil - No acid-forming or toxic-forming materials have been identified at the Bowie No. 1 Mine. Impoundments - All site impoundments are in compliance with Rule 4.05.9. Refer to Section III, C, above. Surface and Ground Water Monitorin The applicant will conduct monitoring of ground water in a manner approved by the Division. The ground water monitoring plan is found in the approved permit application, Volume 1 A, Section 2.05.6, and Volume 8. The applicant will conduct monitoring of surface water in a manner approved by the Division. The monitoring plan is found in the approved permit application, Volume 1A, Section 2.05.6, and Volumes 8 and 8A. 27