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Chapter V <br /> Following soil analysis, the appropriate portions of these areas will be revegetated with <br /> the seed mixes approved for 10,000' elevation. <br /> After reclamation, the portal areas will be Forest Service management roads used for <br /> purposes approved in the postmining land use plan, to evaluate reclamation success. <br /> Continued post-mining use is planned for#4 and #5 and connecting pads. See <br /> Chapter VI, Postmining Land Use Discussion. <br /> b. Haul Roads. <br /> The White River National Forest has proposed that the road system be "modified but <br /> not eliminated" when no longer required for mining purposes (See Appendix V-C-1). <br /> A study, and tests aimed at developing the most effective methods for achieving the <br /> post-mining contours, has been carried out over the last permit term. Final reclamation <br /> will apply the methods developed and tested as appropriate to the topography, and in <br /> order to achieve the desired results. <br /> In general, mechanical means will be employed to flatten the crest of the cut above the <br /> roads only if necessary to achieve the reclamation objectives: stability; the most <br /> moderate slope possible; blending of the area below the original cut with the natural <br /> topography above. <br /> For the final reclamation phase, a trackhoe will be used to further moderate the slope <br /> along the downhill side of the road. <br /> The safety of the equipment operator is of concern, given the very steep topography. <br /> Mechanical alteration of the terrain is hazardous, and any such operations must be <br /> done subject to safety considerations. <br /> Ditches and culverts will remain to improve the watershed. Sediment ponds will be <br /> reclaimed. <br /> The final slopes above and below the roads will be revegetated. <br /> Stability of the slopes, given the steep natural terrain, is of paramount concern for final <br /> reclamation. <br /> If Mid-Continent were required to place large amounts of fill against the road cuts for <br /> the purpose of eliminating the road cuts altogether, we feel that serious stability <br /> problems would occur. Significant erosion of the fill, and any topsoil placed over it, is <br /> quite likely. <br /> 22(a) <br /> Revised 6/92 <br />