1981-08-20_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981038

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-36- On the basis of available information , this Division finds that the proposed operation will not affect the continued existence of threatened or endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats (2.07.6(2) (n)) . XIV. PRIME FARMLAND (2.04.12, 2.06.6, 4.25) The Division has made a negative determination for the presence of prime farmlands within the proposed permit area. The decision was based on the evidence provided by the Soil Conservation Service that there are no prime farmland mapping units within the proposed permit area. This evidence can be found as Prime Farmland appendix, Volume 4 of the permit application. The proposed operation is in compliance. XV. OPERATIONS DESCRIPTION (2.05.2, 2.05. 3(1) , 2.05.3(2) , 4.01) The operations plan for the Orchard Valley mine is presented on pages 3-77, Section 2.05 of Volume 8A. The mine facilities and mine layout maps are presented as Maps 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 19 in Volume 5. Flow diagrams for the coal from the portal to the train loadout are presented on Figures 2.05.1 and 2.05.2 in Volume 8A. All concerns pertaining to the operations description which were raised in the December 2, 1980 and April 27, 1981 preliminary adequacy reviews of the application have been resolved and the proposed operation is in compliance. l '., XVI. EXPLOSIVES (2.05.3(6)) The Orchard Valley mine is an existing underground operation. Explosive usage will be confined to underground activities. Explosive storage facilities are in compliance with the required regulations. The operation is in compliance. XVII. BACKFILLING AND GRADING (2.05.3(3) (b) , 2.05.3(9) , 2.05.4(2) (a) , 4.09, 4.13, 4.14) Colorado Westmoreland Inc. 's (CWI) application for a permit for the Orchard Valley mine proposes a reclaimed final configuration for the surface facilities areas of the mine which consists of a partial backfilling scheme. In the preliminary adequacy review, the Division stated that it considered their proposal to be inadequately supported within the application. Further, the Division required the applicant to complete an appropriate geotechnical and stability analysis to demonstrate that the proposed final configuration would be stable and would satisfy the requirements of Rule 4.14 and 4.27, "Operations on Steep Slopes". The results of the analyses would then be utilized by the applicant to prepare a detailed engineering design which conforms with the above enumerated regulations. ,Y