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addition, the proposed activities will not materially damage the quantity or quality of water in the <br />surface or ground water system described above. Surface coal mining and reclamation <br />operations will be conducted to preserve the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial valley <br />floors outside the permit area and to reestablish the essential hydrologic functions of alluvial <br />valley floors within the affected area throughout the mining and reclamation process. <br />An environmental monitoring system will be installed, maintained, and operated by the permittee <br />on all alluvial valley floors during surface coal mining and reclamation operations and continued <br />until all bonds are released in accordance with Rule 3 (Rule 4.24.4). <br />Based on Permit Revision Number 2, the Division added Stipulation 10 to the permit regarding <br />alluvial valley floors. This stipulation is described in the Decision section of this document. <br />XXIIL Operations on Steep Slopes — Limited Variances — Rule 4.27.4 <br />The operations conducted at the Mine are found to be in full compliance with Rules 4.27.4 and <br />2.06.5. <br />With the approval of Permit Revision Number 2, the Division approved a limited variance from <br />approximate original contour for the South Taylor Pit. This variance is for areas with slopes of <br />20 percent or greater. <br />The Division has not authorized the retention of a highwall remnant for the South Taylor Pit. <br />The highwall will be ripped and dozed to a 3:1 slope to blend in to the approved post- mining <br />topography. <br />Colowyo will be reducing steep slopes (20 percent and greater) along the perimeter of the South <br />Taylor Pit to no more than 3:1. These reduced slopes will decrease the peak flows from runoff <br />from precipitation and snow melt, thereby reducing the contribution of suspended solids to the <br />receiving streams. The watershed will, thereby, be improved. More detail can be found in the <br />PAP in Section 4.27 and on Maps 18A and 19B, the pre- mining topography and the post- mining <br />topography, respectively. <br />Land above the highwall will only be disturbed to rip and grade the highwall to blend with the <br />backfilled and regraded pit and to achieve highwall reduction. This reduction will also help to <br />control surface water runoff by diverting the water into an approved post- mining drainage <br />channel. No temporary overburden storage is planned for above the highwall. <br />The lands where the variance is being requested are owned by both Colowyo and the BLM. <br />Both Colowyo and the BLM have requested, in writing, that the variance be granted. <br />Colowyo is not planning on retaining any spoil material on the highwall bench. <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance January 2012 <br />Permit Renewal 06 Page 157 <br />