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7. Exposed Coal or Toxic or Acid- forming Material <br />Although no detailed testing has ever been done of each individual <br />strata layer in the highwall remnants, other information indicates <br />that there will not be any negative impacts in leaving the upper <br />portions of the highwalls exposed. <br />First, chemical analyses of the roof strata (immediately above the <br />coal) indicate that there are no toxic or acid- forming material <br />present. Sodium absorption ratios are high, but they are no <br />different than that of all the other naturally exposed strata in <br />the area. All the shales of the area are known to contain a high <br />level of sodium carbonate which is evident in all the drainages, <br />which have a pH varying from 8.0 to 9.5. A sample of the chemical <br />analysis of the roof material of the coal is enclosed. A chemical <br />analysis of the Sutey reject material is also enclosed, which shows <br />no problems. <br />Second, all tests from sediment pond discharges at all portal areas <br />through the years have not had any indication of a problem with pH <br />or any undesirable ion present. The pH tests have shown the water <br />to be slightly alkaline. These ponds drain the runoff from the <br />highwall areas and the benches. <br />In short, there is no reason to believe that the exposed strata in <br />the highwall remnant poses any negative threat to the environment <br />due to toxic or acid - forming materials. <br />