2013-01-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981022A (3)

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Saziat - 2.05.4 • The fom~er outslope of the West Bench area (currently pan of the West Valley Haul • Road outslope) • The central yard area in the vtciniry of the current mine shop and warehouse The East Bench area 1«ated east of and between the shop and warehouse and the Sanborn Creek Mute portal area In these areas where coal refuse or mixed refuse and soik are present, the refuse materiak are generally less than three inches thick These areas will be scarified to a depth of 12 inches prior to replacement of weathered surficial materials from borrow areas and preparation of the soil for revegetation. Any weathered cover materiak utilized will be sampled following placement to assure that they aze non-acid fomtutg, non-toxic, and suitable for use as cover material and vegetative growth media. Soil samples will be analyzed for the parameters of pH, acid-base potential, saturation percent, electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, selenium, boron, texture, nitrogen, phosphortu, and potassium The need for application of soil supplements and apphcation rates will be determined based on sampling resuhs. Soil materials have been recovered and st«kpiled From more recent disturbance activities. The available materials, including existing surficial materials, weathered surficial materials generated by grading activities, and st«kpiled soil materiak will be utilized as a vegetative growth medium for revegetation of disturbed areas. Based on previous material sampling and testing as described in Section 2.04.9, Soils Information, with the exception of the identified areas of the Elk Creek yard where significant quantities of coal refuse is mixed with the surficial materiak, the currently exposed sudicial materials will be suitable root zone matetiak. • Weathered surficial and soil materials for reclamation of the Elk Creek Facilities area will generally be obtained from the following auras: • Removal of the Elk Creek culvert and regrading to reestablish the Elk Creek channel • Regrading of the nose between the old Someaet B and C Seam ponak • Existing sail material st«kpiles • Excess soil material recovered from the Elk Creek More facilities area Some additional soil material can be salvaged from adjacent areas, although doing so would result in additional surface disturbance. Soil stabilization will be achieved by seeding, mulching, and netting (as required) reclauned areas. Revegetation - In accordance with an agreement with the DMG, a vegetation study was condutted for the Bear Creek and Hubbard Creek disturbance areas and adjacent undisturbed areas during the summer of 1981. The results of [his study are surttttrarizxd in Exhibit 2.04E6, Vegetation Information, and graphically illustrated on Map 2.04-M8, Regional Vegetation. A revegetation plan, based on the srudy results, is included in the vegetation study report in Exhibit 2.05-E6. Because other mine disturbance areas including the Elk Creek Facilities area involve similar soil and vegetation types and topographic configuration and aspen, the revegetation plan has been determined to be generally applicable to all mine disturbance areas. Disturbed and reclaimed areas will be prepared and reseeded coruistent with the approved revegetation plan. In general, reclamation areas are prepared for seeding by ripping the surface to break up and roughen the soil material Ripping will provide a rough surface to hold the seed, promote moisture and root • penetration, and minutvzx surface runoff until the vegetation becomes established. Ripping may be limited in areas where coal refuse «curs near the surface to avoid mixing of this material in the root zone. Two separate seed mixtures, a Mountain Shrubland/Juniper Woodland miraure, and a Riparian Community mixture have been developed to restore the disturbed areas to riparian co~+~*+~~~~ties PR04 2.05-59 Revised August 2000