2013-02-01_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981041

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6C, and amended cross sections on Exhibit 26. The specific area to which the AOC variance will apply, and the larger area to be used for the alternative "Industrial or Commercial' postmining land use, are delineated on Exhibit 6C. Please see Section B.VIII of the Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance for PR -3 dated July 30, 2007, for findings specific to the approval of the Steep Slope Variance from Approximate Original Contour. Please also refer to Section B.X of the PR -3 Findings of Compliance, for findings specific to the approval of the alternative "Industrial or Commercial' postmining land use at the South Portal facilities area. A portion of the South Portal that is considered "Active Use" area is delineated on Exhibit 6C -A. The "Active Use" areas were not revegetated; non - active use portions of the alternative land use area (such as Access Road I backfill slopes, Access Road IA fill slopes, and highwallbackfill areas) were revegetated to provide a stabilizing vegetative cover, but the alternative land use vegetated areas were not required to meet the specific success criteria applicable to reclaimed Wildlife Habitat postmining land use areas. The mine portals, the former warehouse and shop facilities, the preparation plant/raw coal storage area, the lab /training facilities, and the equipment and material storage area atop the refuse pile have been Phase III bond released. All remaining areas at the South Portals and vicinity, with the exception of Ponds 8 and 9, have had a Phase I bond release including the sideslopes of the Roadside South Refuse Disposal Area, RSRDA Borrow Area, and upper diversion ditches. Within PR -3, SCC identified a material deficit for construction of Access Road I -A and elimination of the highwall at the South Portal area. Material to compensate for the projected deficit would be obtained from a low hill located within the Unit Train Loadout (UTL) disturbed area. Borrow of the material from the UTL site would remove the crown of the hill, lowering the hill by approximately 10 feet. This proposed minor reduction in the elevation of the hill is depicted on revised Exhibit I IC (Unit Train Loadout Facility Post Mining Topography). The modification does not significantly change the nature of the postmining landscape, and the amended topography will achieve approximate original contour in the UTL area. The North Decline was backfilled and graded in the spring of 1992. Material that had been piled above the portal area was dozed into the decline. A fair approximation of extrapolated original contours was achieved. The North Decline had been constructed prior to the Act so accurate records of pre -mine contours do not exist. The final reclaimed contours blend with landforms observed in the undisturbed surrounding landscape. The drainage channel of the unnamed drainage was reestablished through the regraded area and riprapped with 12 -inch or greater riprap on the 7.5 percent slope areas and 6 inches or greater on the 2.5 percent grades. Some minor settling of the fill has occurred above the portal location since the initial backfilling and grading occurred, and some remedial grading has been performed to fill in settling cracks and ensure proper functioning of the sediment control system. Remaining backfillmg and grading work is limited to removal of temporary drainage control structures, and provision of berm breaks along the permanent channel berms to allow reclaimed area runoff to enter the channel. The North Portal facilities area was fully reclaimed in 2002, with the exception of temporary drainage control facilities, an electrical substation and power line, and portions of two topsoil stockpiles. In 2012 final reclamation was completed at the North Portal and along the Coal Creek and Coal Gulch drainages. Ponds 6, 10,11 and 13 were reclaimed along with other drainage control features at CRDA 41 & 42, CBA 41 & 42. At the North Portal the upper diversion was approved for retention as a permanent post - mine feature along with several smaller ephemeral drainage channels constructed across the reclaimed surface of the North Portal in place of the temporary drainage control features. 40