2011-01-13_REVISION - C1981038 (8)

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approximately 40,000 cubic yards had been removed. Placement of material onto the West Ridge waste pile resumed in 1992. The operator had placed about 2000 cubic yards of run-of-mine (R.O.M.) coal waste in the former timber storage area. This. site was for temporary storage only. The coal waste in this R.O.M. stockpile was very low quality coal. A considerable amount of the coal waste was used to partially backfill the West Mine ventilation shaft. Some of the coal waste was processed through a portable screener and the improved product shipped out. During the fourth quarter of 2007, approximately 7,500 tons of the coal waste were placed into an excavated portion on the north end of the West Ridge waste pile and covered with suitable material and revegetated. The West Ridge Waste Pile was completed during 2008. The capacity of the West Ridge Waste Pile was approximately 131,000 cubic yards, although, ultimately, about 101,000 cubic yards of coal waste were placed there. Reclamation of the West Ridge waste disposal site has been and will remain concurrent with its construction. As outlined in Sections 2.05.4(2)(a) and (e), a 3.75-foot non-toxic material/0.75-foot topsoil berm was constructed on the outslopes after completion of each lift. The active outslopes were fertilized and seeded each fall. Quarterly inspections of the old waste disposal site were terminated in late 2005 through Technical Revision No. 46, while those of the West Ridge waste pile were terminated on January 22, 2010 through Technical Revision No. 52. When active, the two coal waste piles had been inspected on a regular basis by a qualified professional engineer, experienced in construction of similar earth and waste structures, as approved by the Division under Rule 4.10.2(1). The operation is in compliance with this section. IX. Coal Mine Waste - Rule 4.11 Non-coal processing waste narrative may be found on pages 55 and 76 of 2.05, Volume 1. Underground development waste rock pile and specifications are documented in Volume 6A. The operator's plan for non-coal processing waste disposal on site was in compliance with the regulations. Non-coal processing waste such as paper trash, garbage, scrap metal, and other non-hazardous waste was disposed of at the Delta County Landfill. X. Backfilling and Grading - Rule 4.14 BRL's application for a permit for the Bowie No. 1 East Mine proposed a reclaimed final configuration for the surface facilities areas of the mine which consists of a partial backfilling scheme. In the preliminary adequacy review of the original permit application, the Division stated that it considered their proposal to be inadequately supported within the application. Further, the Division required the applicant to complete an appropriate geotechnical and stability analysis to demonstrate that the proposed final configuration would be stable and would satisfy the requirements of Rule 4.14 and 4.27, "Operations on Steep Slopes." The results of the analyses would then be utilized by the applicant to prepare a detailed engineering design which conforms with the above-enumerated regulations. The operator retained the services of Merrick and Company and Geo-Hydro Consultants, Inc. to investigate the slope stability of the entire surface facilities area at the Orchard Valley (Bowie No. 1) Mine. Phase I of this study was completed and a summary report, prepared by 33