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Seneca Coal Company <br />Seneca II —W Mine <br />SL-4 - Phase I Bond Release Request <br />SL-4 -6 <br />November 2012 <br />Postmine Channel PM -4D <br />This channel was excluded from the previous SL -3 bond release due to excessive erosion from <br />the spring runoff event. The channel has been repaired with the placement of riprap and TRM to <br />control the velocity of future runoff. The location of this channel is shown on attached Exhibit <br />B, Postmining Topography and Drainage Map. <br />Sediment Ponds — 005, 006, 009, 015, 016, and 017 <br />The Seneca II -W permit area contains six (6) sediment ponds that are proposed to remain as <br />permanent structures following reclamation. The pond locations, which include Ponds 005, 006, <br />009, 015, 016, and 017, are shown on Exhibit B, Post Mining Topography and Drainage. These <br />impoundments will support the post mining land use of rangeland, livestock grazing, and wildlife <br />habitat. Under applicable provisions of Rule 4.05.9(13), the permanent ponds must meet the <br />following criteria: <br />(a) The quality of the impounded water shall be suitable on a permanent basis for its <br />intended use, shall meet applicable state and federal water quality standards and <br />discharge of water from the impoundment shall meet applicable State and Federal <br />effluent limitations and shall not degrade the quality of receiving water below applicable <br />stream standards; <br />(b) The level of water shall be sufficiently stable, and the configuration of the pond shall be <br />adequate, to support the intended use; <br />(c) Adequate safety and access to impounded water shall be provided for proposed water <br />users; <br />(d) Water impoundments shall not result in the diminution of the quality or quantity of water <br />available to water right holders for agricultural, industrial, recreational, or domestic uses <br />except in accordance with applicable state law; <br />(e) The size of the impoundment shall be adequate for its intended purposes; <br />(f) The impoundment shall be suitable for the approved post - mining land use. <br />The landowner request letter is contained in Appendix 20 -2.1 of the permit document. In <br />addition, the Office of State Engineer must also approve retention of each pond. Landowner <br />requests, permanent pond demonstrations, documentation of DRMS and State Engineer approval <br />for each pond will be submitted prior to Phase I bond release approval. <br />Stock Ponds <br />There are nine (9) stock ponds (T -2, 3, 5, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 27) that will remain permanent <br />following reclamation. The stock ponds were constructed in reclaimed area and are not primary <br />sediment control structures. They have a storage capacity of less than two -acre feet and an <br />embankment no greater than five feet high measured from the invert of the spillway to the <br />upstream toe of the embankment. Given that the stock ponds are relatively small in size and <br />there are no residential or commercial structures or mining operations immediately below the <br />structures, they do not create a threat to public health and safety or threaten significant <br />environmental harm. These permanent stock ponds will enhance the approved post mine use. <br />The pond locations are shown on Exhibit B, Post Mining Topography and Drainage. Landowner <br />requests, permanent pond demonstrations, documentation of DRMS and State Engineer approval <br />will be submitted prior to Phase I bond release. <br />