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The rock tunnel portal area is located in a <br /> previously disturbed area near the junction of the No . 1 and No . <br /> 3 mine haul roads. An area adequate for a bathhouse, garage, <br /> timber pile, workshop, vehicle storage, water-control structures , <br /> and miscellaneous storage facilities will be developed within the <br /> confines of the portal and rock disposal areas . (See Exhibit II- <br /> B-4) <br /> When completed, the rock tunnel project will <br /> reduce the overall environmental impact of the mining operations <br /> in Coal Basin. Several troublesome environmental maintenance <br /> problems will be virtually eliminated, and a number of other <br /> significant environmental impacts will be more easily controlled . <br /> The reduction of heavy truck traffic and <br /> other miscellaneous traffic on 70 to 80 percent of the present <br /> road system should have a very positive environmental impact . <br /> Several of the problems associated with the control of fugitive <br /> dust emissions, erosion, and stream pollution will become much <br /> more manageable. <br /> The need for temporary refuse storage sites <br /> at each of the existing mine portals will be eliminated . Virtually <br /> all the refuse materials resulting from the mining operations <br /> will be transported to the surface through the rock tunnel and <br /> thence to an approved disposal site in a single operation. <br /> Most of the surplus waters that accumulate <br /> from time to time in the underground workings will be collected <br /> and discharged via the rock tunnel . Generously-sized settling <br /> ponds will assure that the final product discharged meets applicable <br /> 3 cL <br />