1988-04-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A (54)

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The first annual topsoil balance, as presented in Nucla Technical Revision No. 2, was submitted as stipulated in the Nucla Mine Permit Renewal and supersedes all previous topsoil balances submitted for Nucla Mine. The updated balance was also submitted in response to CMLRD's January 14, 1988 and February 5, 1988 letters to Peabody pertaining to Nucla Mine Permit (C-81-008) Renewal No. 1 and Nucla Mine Minor Revision No. 7, respectively. The first annual topsoil balance was revised on July 18, 1988 and July 26, 1988 with the submittal of Minor Revision No. 8. Historical Overview. Five detailed topsoil balances have been previously completed for the Nucla Mine. The first plan, completed in April, 1980, was included as part of the initial permit submittal under Colorado's Permanent Program (SMP No. C-81-008, Volume III, Tab 9, Attachment 9-1). It was estimated from the April 1980 balance that approximately 1.1 feet (12-15 inches) of suitable topsoil would be replaced over graded spoil during the life-of-mine operation. The second plan, submitted December 18, 1980, was completed to include the shop and facilities area into the active mining area (see SMP No. C-81-008, Volume III, Tab 9, Attachment 9-2C). It was estimated from the December 1980 balance that approximately 1.0 feet (12 inches) of suitable topsoil would be replaced over graded spoil • during the life-of-mine operation. The third plan, completed on October 1, 1986, was included as part of Technical Revision No. 1 to SMP No. C-81-008. It was estimated from this balance that 10 inches of topsoil would be replaced on rangeland reclamation areas and 15 inches for dryland pasture reclamation areas. The fourth plan, submitted November 1, 1986 and revised slightly on March 6, 1987, March 13, 1987, and February 9, 1988, was completed as part of Permit Revision No. 1 to SMP No. C-81-008. This revision enabled Peabody to expand mining operations into Mine Areas 2, 3, and 5 (see SMP No. C-81-008, Volume 9, Tab 12, Exhibit 12-2, Operations Plan). Topsoil replacement depths were estimated to be 6 inches for rangeland reclamation areas previously disturbed under Permit 75-36 (Mine Areas 2 and 3), 10 inches for rangeland reclamation areas associated with Permit C-81-008, and 15 inches for dryland pasture reclamation areas. The various categories of soil replacement were shown on Exhibit 13-lb, Postmine Soil Replacement Depths (included as Exhibit 21-2 for this Nucla East permit submittal). The fifth plan was submitted on February 29, 1988 in response to CMLRD's January 14, 1988 . and February 5, 1988 letters to Peabody pertaining to Nucla Mine Permit (C-81-008) Renewal No. 1 and Nucla Mine Minor Revision No. 7, respectively. The plan also satisfied the 21-9 Revised 08/19/88