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TAB 20 <br /> BACKFILLING AND GRADING <br /> Backfilling and Grading Methods. Mining and backfilling operations at Nucla Mine will be <br /> performed concurrently. Scrapers will remove the overburden and parting materials, then <br /> haul the material to a previously mined area to be backfitled. Initially in Areas No. 1 <br /> and 2, some overburden material will be temporarily stockpiled outside of the mined pits <br /> onto previously mined lands but will later be hauled back to or graded into mined area <br /> to achieve the final land form. The existing rough graded spoil in the western part of <br /> Area No. 1 will also be hauled or pushed into a mined area and graded to the approximate <br /> topographic form shown on Exhibit 20-3. <br /> In the proposed Nucla East permit area, scrapers and dozers will remove the overburden and <br /> haul the material to a previously mined area to be backfitled. Along the cropline, <br /> some box cut overburden material will initially be temporarily stockpiled outside of the <br /> area mined (see Exhibit 12-3). All vegetative and organic material and topsoil wilt be <br /> removed from the area where overburden material is to be placed. The temporarily <br /> stockpiled material will be graded into the mined area and hauled to the final pit area <br /> according to the reclamation plan shown on Exhibit 19-2 to achieve the approximate <br /> topographic form shown on Exhibit 20-10. <br /> Since scrapers and dozers will be used, backfilling operations wilt occur concurrently <br /> with mining operations. No dragline spoil piles wilt be created and contemporaneous <br /> reclamation will occur as an integral part of the mining process. <br /> Backfilled material will be placed to minimize effects on postmining vegetation and ground <br /> water, minimize off-site effects and support the approved postmining land use. <br /> Approximately six months will be needed to complete the final backfilling operations in <br /> each of the areas mined. <br /> Upon completion of the backfilling, all highwalls and depressions larger than one cubic <br /> yard will be eliminated. All areas disturbed by mining will be graded to the approximate <br /> landform shown on Exhibits 20-3 and 20-10. <br /> 20-1 Revised 05/24/91 <br />