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

Home Browse Search

• topsoil salvage, open pits, spoil piles, partial and final graded spoils, explosive storage area, temporary by-pass road, topsoil stockpiles, and NPDES sites. These areas are all included in the disturbed land category which is delineated on the Topsoil Balance Plan, Exhibit 21-1 and shown on Tables 21-2 and 21-3. The current total disturbance area which requires topsoil replacement (excludes pre-law spoil piles, pre-law facilities, pre-law shop area, NPDES sites, explosive storage area, all access roads to these areas, and topsoil stockpile locations) is 68.65 acres (Tables 21-2 and 21-3). Suitable spoil, subsoil, and/or excess topsoil will be utilized to reclaim the NPDES sites, pre-law spoil piles, pre-law facilities, pre-law shop area, explosive storage area, and associated access roads to these areas. The suitable spoil, subsoil, and/or excess topsoil materials will be salvaged from areas adjacent to the above areas as part of disturbances associated with final reclamation of these sites (see Topsoil Balance Plan, Exhibit 21-1). Proposed Topsoil Salvage Area. All topsoil reserves will be salvaged at Nucla Mine by the end of mining year 1989 (Operations Plan, Exhibit 12-2 and Reclamation Plan, Exhibit • 19-1). Proposed topsoil salvage areas are outlined on the Topsoil Balance Plan, Exhibit 21-1. The volume of topsoil to be salvaged, listed in Tables 21-2 and 21-3, was estimated by soil map unit (Soil Types, Exhibit 9-1 and Soil Types and Topsoil Salvage Depths, Exhibit 9-4). Topsoil salvage depths assigned to each map unit are identical to those used previously for the November 1986 topsoil balance. Topsoil Replacement Area. Topsoil will be replaced on the areas shown on Exhibit 21-1 (Topsoil Balance Plan) which were all disturbed by mining after the Colorado Rules and Regulations were approved (July 1, 1976). Pre-law spoil piles, pre-law shop area, pre-law facilities, NPDES sites, explosive storage area, and associated access roads, which are still being utilized, are included for suitable spoil, subsoil, and/or excess topsoil replacement. Topsoil will not be replaced within the high water line of irrigation ditches or permanent post-mine impoundments that may be retained upon approval of the Division. Topsoil Replacement Depth. Approximately 102.8 acre-feet of suitable topsoil is available for replacement in Mine Areas 1 and 4 over the life-of-mine (1988-1989) operation at Nucla Mine (Table 21-2 and Exhibit 19-1, Reclamation Plan). The disturbance area requiring topsoil replacement totals about 73.4 acres (Table 21-2 and Exhibit 21-1, Topsoil Balance 21-12 Revised 08/19/88