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3. The permittee has demonstrated, based on physical and chemical analyses of refuse material and <br />cover soil, and vegetation field trials, that the revegetation requirements of 4.15 can be met with <br />less than four feet of cover on the coal processing waste bank (4.10.4(5)). This study which was <br />conducted over a span of 10 years was finalized during the summer of 1993. A determination on <br />the required cover depth was made by the Division pursuant to approval of Technical Revision <br />16, in January, 1994. For further relevant discussion, see Section Bill of this document. <br />VII. Backfilling and Grading <br />Following removal of mine facilities, buildings, and asphalt, and sealing of underground mine <br />openings, all areas affected by surface operations will be backfilled and graded as necessary to <br />stabilize slopes and promote successful revegetation. The anticipated final surface configuration for <br />each affected surface area, as well as existing and proposed postmine cross - sections, are depicted in <br />Exhibits 6C through 12C, and Exhibits 26, 27 and 28 of the permit application. <br />Original reclamation plans for the South Portals area had entailed retention of existing mine bench and <br />highwall, but the plan had been revised to reflect elimination of the bench and highwall, and to <br />approximate the general nature of the premising topography, prior to the 1993 permit renewal. As a <br />component of the 1995 mid -term review, the Division requested additional detail on final reclamation <br />configuration of the Roadside Refuse Disposal Area (RSRDA), and documentation of reclamation <br />material balances for the entire South Portal area, including the RSRDA. <br />PR -02, approved in 1997, included a more detailed final reclamation plan for the Roadside Refuse <br />Disposal Area (RSRDA) and South Portals disturbance area. Documentation of material balances was <br />also provided in PR -02, in 1997, and relevant postmine topographic maps and cross - sections were <br />amended. Further refinements of the final reclamation plan for the South Portals and RSRDA, <br />including amended permanent drainage plans, were approved via technical revisions prior to initiation <br />of final reclamation in 2002. RSRDA slopes and terrace drains were reclaimed in 2002, and a new <br />upper diversion beginning just above the portal highwall and extending to the south around the <br />RSRDA was constructed. The wash plant and associated facilities were removed, however various <br />additional facilities remained on the lower and upper benches. Concrete seals were installed in the <br />South Portals during 2000, and the portals out -by the seals were backfilled in the fall of 2007. <br />The South Portal Area reclamation plan was again modified by approval of PR -3, in July 2007; <br />reclamation was initiated in September 2007 and was completed in 2008. In PR -3, SCC requested a <br />steep slope variance from approximate original contour (AOC) for the mine bench and adjacent areas, <br />including the steep rock cut slopes created during bench construction, and proposed Access Road 1 A, <br />which was constructed to provide access to the bench area following reclamation. The purpose of the <br />AOC variance is to accommodate an alternative "Industrial or Commercial" land use. A local <br />agricultural business, Providence Place, Inc. (PPI), purchased the Roadside South Portals Area <br />following approval of PR -3. The alternative land use plan allows for retention of the shop, warehouse <br />and parking areas on the upper bench. These facilities are used by PPI for equipment and supply <br />storage and maintenance. The cafeteria, lab, septic tank system, and associated parking and travel <br />areas on the lower level have also been retained for future use. The buildings are used as a seasonal <br />fruit stand and a packing/cooling shed. The fruit stand is operated under the name "Kokopelli <br />Produce ". The top of the RSRDA is used as an equipment and material storage area. <br />Permit Revision No. 5 39 July 10, 2012 <br />