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2.05 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT FOR SURFACE OR UNDERGROUND MINING ACTIVITIES - MINIMUM <br />REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATION AND RECLAMATION PLANS. <br />Phase I I I of the stability analysis and the design of the new waste disposal area <br />was completed by Geo -Hydro Consulting, Inc., and approved by the Division on <br />May 4, 1983 ( see Maps 6A -IA thru 1 H in Volume 6A). The initial Construction <br />of the West Ridge disposal facilities, located west of the reclaimed waste <br />disposal area, took place during July and August, 1983. Due to surface <br />landowner constraints, construction of the West Ridge disposal area in 1983 <br />was confined within the west boundary of the Temporary Land Use Permit No. <br />CO- 030- TU -78 -6. A modification of this permit, granted by the BLM on June <br />11, 1984, allowed the expansion of the West Ridge disposal area. Construction <br />of the West Ridge waste pile expansion took place during June and July, 1984. <br />The West_ Ridge-waste_disposal was_also_designed_to-the- applicable -- <br />requirements of Rules 4.09, 4.10 and 4.11. Waste rock material is placed and <br />compacted in two -foot lifts within a soil berm constructed on the perimeter of the <br />disposal area. The berms, constructed of subsoil with topsoil on the outside <br />slopes, contain the waste rock material within the prepared area as well as <br />progressively provide 4 feet of soil cover over the side slopes of the waste rock <br />pile. The outside slope of the berms is 2(h):1(v). <br />For further information regarding the initial design and construction of the West <br />Ridge waste disposal area, refer to Maps 6A -IA thru 1 H in Volume 6A and Sec. <br />2.04.6(2)(a)(iii)(C). <br />In 1989, it was discovered that certain slopes had been constructed steeper <br />than the 2H:1 V approved in the design, and that insufficient compaction had <br />been achieved at several locations. Repair of the West Ridge site was <br />approved by TR -7, and accomplished in 1991. Design modifications to the <br />West Ridge waste pile were approved with TR -25 in 1994. The design included <br />the placement of rock drains in the drainages east and west of the northem end <br />of the bank. Construction of the rock drains occurred in September 1996, and <br />certification was provided to the Division in February 1998. The estimated <br />capacity of the West ridge waste pile is 131,000 cubic yards. <br />Quarterly waste disposal area inspection reports were provided to the Division <br />beginning in 1983 by Colorado Westmoreland, Inc., the original permittee of <br />what was then named the Orchard Valley Mine. Coal mine waste continued to <br />be placed at the facility through 1997 and appropriate inspection and <br />compaction reports were submitted to the Division. <br />In 2008, the Operator commenced reclamation of the East Mine and the Timber <br />Storage Area. During the second quarter of 2008 the West Ridge waste pile <br />was filled to capacity and covered with at least 3.5 feet of non -toxic cover. The <br />TR - 52 - 23i - 01/10 <br />�PP1'�oVEIS <br />