_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017 (248)

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remove), non-erosive and stable. We would like to leave them in place, at ground level, covered with topsoil. Topsoil/Soil A difficult problem for reclamation at Coal Basin is the lack of topsoil material. Attached is a list of topsoil piles, and estimated volume of soil in each. This was prepared a couple of years ago. The Sutey area yielded plenty of soil for coverage of that pile, and some to spare. We would like to use what you would consider a minimum acceptable depth in covering the Sutey pile so as to have more soil from these piles to use for covering other areas, principally the preparation plant area. Borrow areas will have to be identified to provide additional soil for coverage of the disturbed areas, principally the portal benches, preparation plant yard area, rock tunnel pile and raw coal storage area. This should be done next summer, when the ground is visible. Borrow areas should be close to the area to be topsoiled. As "borrowing" soil creates its own disturbance, the soil depths over the areas being covered should be kept to a minimum. We propose using a uniform soil depth of 6". In some areas, such as the overland conveyor route, there is no need to add additional soil material in order to have a suitable growth medium. We would propose to grade, rip and seed this area. The ground surface beneath the raw coal pile behind the warn houses might, once the coal is scraped off, be scarified and seeded without the addition of topsoil. Asbestos Removal There are asbestos panals in the preparation plant. We have received some estimates for removal and disposal of asbestos, which are quite expensive. One consultant advised us that with MLRD permission, we could dispose of the asbestos on the mine si,;e by burying it in a portal. We would like to do this, and could identify a portal w1ich is above any water. We will look forward to discussing these issues with the Division. Yours truly, Diane Delaney Mid-Continent Resources