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redistributed directly on graded spoils. After topsoil removal, Seneca <br />used an electrically powered dragline to remove the overburden. The <br />overburden from the working pit was cast into the previous open pit. <br />After the overburden removal, the coal was removed with the aid of <br />large power shovels, end loaders and coal haulage trucks. SCC <br />primarily mined two (2) coal seams at the Seneca II Mine. The Wolf <br />Creek coal seam (which was approximately 16 feet thick) and the Wadge <br />coal seam (approximately 9 feet thick). The coal was transported <br />directly to the Hayden Station Power Plant by Western Coal Carriers, a <br />contract hauler. After the coal was removed, the spoil material was <br />graded to approximate original contour, topsoiled and seeded as per the <br />approved reclamation plan. <br /> As shown in the permit application package (PAP), SCC has had <br /> contractors study all of the environmental disciplines (i.e., soils, <br /> vegetation, wildlife, hydrology and archaeology) at the S eneca II Mine. <br /> The informa tion gained from these studies aided in the development of <br /> both an economical and environmentally acceptable mining and <br /> reclamation plant. <br />There are a varied number of land uses adjacent to the Seneca II Mine, <br />the most dominant being rangeland (in terms of acreage). Rangeland <br />includes lands which are being used for domestic livestock grazing, but <br />also includes use by big game (particularly deer and elk), small <br />mammals, herptiles, avian species, and invertebrates. <br />Other adjacent land uses include past surface and underground coal <br />mining, electric power generation, oil production and storage, <br />recreation (along the Yampa River), dryland farming and domestic <br />residences. <br />The environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with the recent <br />permit term will be minimal. Nevertheless, the mining and reclamation <br />plan attempts to further minimize these impacts by incorporating up-to- <br />date techniques for protecting and/or reclaiming the water, land, air <br />and wildlife resources. <br />TR-37 1-2 Revised 04/05 <br />