2011-05-12_REPORT - C1981008 (4)

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2008 ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT NH1 Farming by adjacent landowners continued as in past years on the 6.4 ac field in the NW portion of the NH1 Permit Area. The landowner was contacted and stated that no fertilizer was applied. One cutting was harvested for approximately 7 tons (2,188lbs/acre) of grass hay. Western Fuels did not applied fertilizer to a 45.65 acres parcel. Exhibit 2008-1 shows fertilizer application rates and locations as well as production. Exhibit 2008-1 denotes pasture yields where applicable. For reference, Exhibit 2008-2 shows the pre-1993 disturbance at NH1. Please note that the NH1 boundary changed in 2001 as a result of MR- 52. NH2 Existing Disturbance During 2008, 25.9 acres of new disturbance were associated with the mining program at the New Horizon 2 Mine. A total of 18.0 acres was topsoiled; this is shown on Exhibit 2008-6. No permanent seeding was completed in 2008. Only temporary/short term areas such as stockpiles, ditches, and roadways; this accounted for approximately 28 acres. The 2008 Disturbance and Seeding Maps, Exhibit 2008-3 and 2008-4, respectively show the areas either disturbed, seeded, during 2008. No reseeding was performed in 2008. Backfilling and Grading During 2008, 42.8 acres (see Exhibit 2008-7) were graded at New Horizon 2. Backfill grading was accomplished by backfilling the empty pit with a truck-shovel fleet and then final grading with D-9 dozers and/or 14G grader. Soil and Spoil Scarification The following soil and spoil scarification techniques were used while grading the reclamation area. Prior to growth media soil replacement, the final graded spoil was scarified to a depth of 6 to 18 inches using ripper shanks attached behind a motor grader or a dozer. This scarifying operation effectively reduced compaction, runoff, improved infiltration, and improving rooting depths. Soil and Spoil Monitoring Data New Horizon Mine is required by Permit C-81-008 to monitor replaced soil and final graded spoil and submit the information to the Division. Monitoring programs include verifying soil replacement thickness and determining final graded spoil quality. Exhibit 2008-6 depicts topsoil thickness and sample locations. Exhibit 2008-7 depicts backfill spoil sample locations and shows backfill placement limits. Spoil Quality The spoil sampling and analysis program approved for New Horizon Mine is described in Section 2.05.4(2)(d)-6 Regraded Spoil Monitoring Program of Permit C-81-008. Five (5) topsoil samples and two (2) backfill spoil samples for 2008 were collected from within the New Horizon 2 area. The soil samples were collected by a hand auger. Each backfill sample site consists of two subsurface samples; one is a 0 to -2 ft interval, the other a -2ft to F:\Eng\DATA\PROJECTS\2011\ANNUAL RECLAMATION REVIEW RESPONSE 2008 & 2010\2008RECRPT 20llResponse.doc