_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (229)

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HUNTSMAN PROJECT The Huntsman Project involved the removal of about 53,000 cubic yards of pre-law refuse from the western portion of the Old Refuse Pile.The Project area is located on property administered by the White River National Forest. This project ameliorated the steep north facing slope of the Old Refuse Pile located adjacent to Coal Creek. The project accomplished slope stabilization by reducing the slope gradient to a more modest two to one (horizontal to vertical) configuration. Coal Refuse was cut from the steep slope until the design configuration was achieved. The refuse was transported to another portion of the mine site for disposal. Topsoil was spread over the cut slope, and an appropriate grass, shrub and forb seed mixture applied. Small seedling trees were planted on the slopes. Construction began in late July, 1998, and concluded in early November, 1998. The cost to complete the approximately six acre Project was about $217,000. BEAR CREEK PROJECT The Bear Creek Project will accomplish slope reduction on a pre-law portion of the Old Refuse Pile immediately to the east of the Huntsman Project. Completion of the Bear Creek Project will result in creation of slopes of about 2.2H:1 V, achieving reduced erosion potential and increased vegetative production. Current conditions of the east facing portion of the Old Refuse Pile include steep, long, uninterrupted slopes which exhibit limited vegetation. Erosion potential and slope instability potential are both high. The Bear Creek Project will create a more productive and stable land form by reducing the slopes to a gentler configuration. Topsoil will be applied to the newly graded slopes. The soil will be derived from an existing topsoil stockpile located about one half mile to the west. After application of the soil, mechanical roughening of the soil surface will occur to help promote micro-climatic conditions on the slopes and to interrupt runoff patterns. The Project Area will be revegetated with a suitable seed mixture. Trees will be planted at a rate of 200 stems per acre to compliment the seeding. Finally, a shrub barrier will be planted at the base of the slopes. The estimated cost to complete the approximately nine acre Project is $220,000. The project is scheduled for construction between July 12 and September 30, 1999. The Project area is located on property administered by the White River National Forest. Reclamation Project, OSM Civil Penalty Grant Funds DUTCH CREEK DIVERSION PROJECT During mining operations Dutch Creek was routed south of the mine facilities area via a concrete lined channel, or flume. The Division had determined that the flume was in a state of disrepair, and could potentially fail. In order to alleviate this problem, grant monies from the OSM Civil Penalty Fund were obtained. Office of Surface Mining hydrologists designed a geornorphically dynamic channel. The Division drafted the bid specifications based upon the OSM design, and awarded a contract in mid-1998. Construction of the Dutch Creek Diversion began in early October, and was completed in mid-November, 1998 for about$76,000. Approximately twenty seven thousand cubic yards of material was excavated and over five thousand yards of rip rap was placed in the channel. The design is intended to mimic the natural characteristics of Dutch Creek above the diversion. It is anticipated that the inner channel will migrate horizontally and vertically within the outer channel. It is also intended that the stream will agrade and degrade over time, resulting in migrating step pools within the channel, while allowing for the transportation of the large volume of rock carried by Dutch Creek each year.