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eliminated, but the contoured, graded surface will not meet <br /> approximate original contour standards. The Colorado MLRD has <br /> judged a request by the applicant for variance from approximate <br /> original contour requiriement to be appropriate based upon steep <br /> slope mining conditions. However, Colorado MLRD has added special <br /> conditions to the permit which require the submission of additional <br /> data and reclamation designs which the applicant is in the process <br /> of complying with. <br /> Three special conditions were added to the original mining plan <br /> approval and Federal and State permits which dealt with the problem <br /> of slope stability and which remain in effect on the State permit. <br /> Special Condition No. 6 directed the applicant to complete a <br /> thorough geotechnical investigation and stability analysis of the <br /> proposed backfilled configurations for the five portal benches. It <br /> also required the applicant to prepare a detailed material balance, <br /> designating the proposed source of materials to be utilized in <br /> completing the backfilling and grading of the mine portal areas. <br /> Special Condition No. 7 required the applicant to submit by <br /> December 31, 1984, a backfilling and grading plan for the <br /> preparation plant area and to then update the application to include <br /> this plan. This condition has been complied with. Special <br /> Condition No. 8 required the applicant to complete a mapping of the <br /> existing haul road system at the mines in order to develop typical <br /> reclamation procedures for each category of road. Further, the <br /> applicant was required to submit a specific proposal for the <br /> backfill, grading, drainage, and reclamation procedures, and a <br /> detailed material balance for the final reduced haul road <br /> configuration. The applicant is currently complying with this <br /> special condition. <br /> The mining and reclamation operations within the areas of unstable <br /> geology will not endanger life and property. The above special <br /> conditions and the exemption from restoring the portal area to its <br /> approximate contours should ensure continued slope stability. <br /> There are no areas subject to frequent flooding in the permit and <br /> adjacent area. <br /> B. Impacts of Alternative 2, Disapproval <br /> Disapproval of the mining plan modification would result in <br /> 40,000,000 additional tons of Federal coal not being mined unless <br /> and until an alternative mining plan is developed, submitted by the <br /> applicant, and approved by the Secretary of the Interior. The <br /> impacts described for Alternative 1, Approval Without Conditions <br /> would not occur. The Coal Basin mines would continue to operate <br /> under the terms and conditions of the mining plan approved in June <br /> 1983; the impacts of which are described in the June 1983 <br /> Environmental Assessment (EA), prepared by OSMRE, and the April 1983 <br /> and August 1984 Technical Analyses, prepared by Colorado MLRD. <br /> -6- <br />