2012-07-10_REVISION - C1981041 (7)

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16. The Division has contacted the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation Fees Branch. As of July 6, 2012, Snowcap Coal Company, the operator, is current in the payment of reclamation fees required by 30 CFR Chapter VII, subchapter R. (2.07.6(2)(0)). An " issue" decision, has been recommended by the Office of Surface Mining, Applicant Violator System. SECTION B The following findings and specific approvals are required by Rule 4: I. Roads - Rule 4.03 Information on roads is presented in Section 2.05.3, in Tab-I 3 of the permit application. During operations there were six haul roads, five access roads and five light -use roads within the permit area that demonstrate compliance with applicable standards of Rule 4.03. All the roads met the design criteria for grade and surfacing. All were found to be in compliance. Two pipe arches which convey runoff flow in Coal creek beneath Haul Road 4 near the Roadside North Portal have an end area of greater than 35 square feet; therefore, to be in compliance with Rule 4.03.1(4)(e)(i), they must pass the 20 -year, 24 -hour peak flow. The permittee installed inlet transitions in order to pass the event. New Access Road lA was approved with PR -3 in 2007 and was constructed on Snowcap Coal Company property to implement the alternative "Industrial or Commercial' postmining land use and to provide access to the permanent facilities at the South Portal area. The segment of Access Road 1 between the lower parking area and the mine bench was reclaimed in 2008. Access Road IA and a short upper segment of Access Road 1 (approximately 100 feet in length) were approved as permanent with PR -3 and will be retained for the alternative postmining land use. The segment of Access Road 1 to be retained will provide access to proposed equipment storage areas located on the flat top of the RSRDA waste disposal site. Three dip- sections were installed along coal creek during construction of Haul Roads 2, 3 and 4. The two upper dip- sections have six 36 -inch CMP culverts laid side by side and incased in concrete. In the concrete, they have an end area greater than 35 square feet, therefore, they must pass the 20 -year, 24 -hour peak flow to be in compliance with Rule 4.03.1(4)(e)(i). The lower dip section is only required to pass the 10 -year, 24 -hour peak flow to be in compliance with Rule 4.03.1(4)(e)(i). Designs reveal that the dip- sections will not pass the design peak flows without overtopping. In 1982, the permittee submitted justification that the dip- sections would be as environmentally sound as designs which would comply with Rule 4.03.1(4)(e)(i). Since the dip - sections are constructed of reinforced concrete, they will not erode if overtopped. In addition, the upstream and downstream sections of the stream are protected by riprap so they will not be undermined. The overtopping of the dip- sections will likely be a gradual event. The water will flow over the top of the smooth concrete surface with very little turbulence being induced by the dip- section. According to calculations done by the permittee, the dip- sections would be overtopped for a total of 3.4 hours during a 20 -year, 24 -hour precipitation event. The installations are therefore acceptable to the Division. In conjunction with reclamation activities within each of the surface facilities areas, a number of roads Permit Revision No. 5 19 July 10, 2012