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Coal extraction operations began at Seneca II -W in 1990, and continued until January 2006, when <br />coal production at Seneca II -W ceased. Over the life of the mine, total coal production was <br />12,069,059 tons. Annual production ranged from a low of 376,700 tons to a maximum 990,300 <br />tons. <br />During the period of active mining operations, reclamation was conducted concurrently with <br />mining, with the exception of approved variance areas where backfilling was delayed to <br />accommodate proposed auger or highwall mining, or other site specific considerations. Due to <br />the nature of the mining plan and the operational history, the application contains a request for a <br />variance from the contemporaneous reclamation requirements of Rule 4.14. This request is <br />discussed further in Section VII of this document. The generalized reclamation sequence that was <br />followed during active operations is described in the following paragraph. <br />Topsoil was removed and stockpiled or, when possible, live- handled. Following topsoil removal <br />the overburden was blasted. Using the dragline, initial box cut spoil was placed onto previously <br />stripped but unmined ground creating a temporary overburden stockpile with each successive cut <br />going into the previous pit after coal was removed. The resulting spoils were graded to <br />approximate original contour, topsoiled and seeded. Permanent postmine drainage channels were <br />constructed in accordance with approved design specifications. Within scattered designated <br />locations, areas of one to two acres in size received concentrated planting and seeding of native <br />shrubs and seeding of native forbs. Several of the designated areas were also planted with aspen <br />saplings. Grasses were not seeded within these locations, in order to minimize competition <br />between the relatively quick developing and competitive grasses and the slower growing woody <br />plants. A number of the concentrated tree /shrub areas were fenced to protect woody plantings <br />from excessive browsing by large ungulates. The revegetation plan associated with PR -3 included <br />a commitment and detailed design plans for an aspen reestablishment study, to evaluate the <br />feasibility of transplanting native aspen saplings with variable soil treatments and irrigation <br />application rates. If the study identified successful approaches, the revegetation plan was to be <br />amended in the future to incorporate the selected practices on remaining areas to be reclaimed. <br />Results of the study have been incorporated into the permit application package, as Appendix 22 -3 <br />to Tab 22, Revegetation Plan. <br />During operations, raw coal was loaded onto haul trucks in each pit. The trucks travelled along <br />the permitted haul road to County Road 53. The trucks continued on County Road 53 to the <br />Tie - Across Haul Road, which provides direct access to the Xcel Energy generating station at <br />Hayden, Colorado. <br />All disturbed area runoff is controlled, treated and conveyed throughout the site to ensure <br />compliance with applicable laws. Sediment pond 006 provides sediment control for disturbance <br />within the south portion of the original mine permit area. Ponds 005 and 009 treat runoff <br />primarily in the northern portion of the original mine permit area. Sediment ponds 015, 016, and <br />017 treat the runoff from the southern extension area. <br />Seneca II -W Findings Document 12 C -1982 -057 <br />Permit Revision No. 6 January 6, 2012 <br />