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- 8 - <br /> XIX. Roads - Rules 2.05.3 (3 ) and 4.03 <br /> The rock tunnel project has been completed but still does not contact No. 3, <br /> No. 4, or No. 5 mines. Haulage off of the mountain by haul truck has been <br /> curtailed due to the ability to access the active mines , No. 1 and No. 2 <br /> through the existing new rock tunnel . However, the operator reserves the <br /> right to reestablish haulage on these roads if a demand were found for the <br /> No. 3, 41, or 5 coal or if some other problem occurs with access to No. 1 or 2 <br /> mine through the rock tunnel . However, the roads are being decommissioned by <br /> cutting back the side drainage ditch away from the road cut and allowing <br /> sloughing along the cut side of the road. <br /> The findings document of August 1984 imposed Stipulation No. 8 on the permit. <br /> This stipulation required a thorough mapping of the road system at the Coal <br /> Basin tines. Topics included bedrock, surficial geology, exposure to <br /> landslides and avalanches , method of road construction, and original <br /> cross-slope angles. The purpose was to categorize the existing haul road <br /> system in order to allow the development of typical reclamation procedures for <br /> each category of road. Stipulation No. 8 has been satisfactorily addressed by <br /> the operator and the stipulation is no longer in effect. The stability , <br /> mapping, and reclamation plan for the haul road system is located in Appendix <br /> V-E-2 of the permit application. <br /> The detailed mapping required by this stipulation identified sections of the <br /> haul road system that were not in compliance with the requirements of <br /> Rule 4.03.1 (3). All of these haul roads have been in existence since 1971 . <br /> In order for the Division to issue a variance from the design criteria and <br /> specifications , Mid-Continent was required to present an analytical <br /> demonstration by a qualified registered professional engineer that the <br /> existing road configuration is as environmentally sound as those resulting <br /> from haul roads complying with the requirements of 4.03.1 and that the <br /> existing haul roads can meet the criteria necessary to acheive reclamation of <br /> the roads. This demonstration is included in Appendix V-E-II of the permit <br /> renewal application. The report concluded that the amount of earthwork <br /> required to bring the roads at Coal Basin into compliance would create great <br /> short-term erosion and impact on the environment at Coal Basin. <br /> Reclamation plans are included in Appendix V-E-II demonstrating that <br /> successful reclamation of the haul roads can be acheived. Based on these <br /> factors, the Division grants a variance from the design specifications <br /> required under Rule 4.03.1 (3). <br /> A landslide has occurred on the No. 3 haulroad above the rock tunnel portal <br /> area. The slide has appeared stable for the past two years , however, if <br /> further instability of the slide area should occur, it could affect the <br /> usability of the extensive road system accessed by this No. 3 Kline road. This <br /> road was proposed to be left as permanent for use as forest access by the <br /> Forest Service. If the slide shows further instability, the operator and the <br /> Forest Service will need to come to some agreement over maintenance of the <br /> road. <br />