2013-04-05_PERMIT FILE - C1981019 ‎(10)‎

• Permit No: C1981019A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 4/5/2013
• Section_Exhibit Name: 2.05 Operations and Reclamation Plans
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

RULE 2 PE I'B'S
Coal Processing Waste and Non -Coal Processing Waste
Not applicable. Colowyo uses dry crushing facility for coal preparation; no coal processing waste, as
defined in Rule 1.04 "DEFINITIONS ", is produced from any part of the mining operations.
Underground Development Waste
Not applicable. Colowyo is not conducting an underground operation.
Return of Coal Processing Waste to Abandon Workings
Not applicable. No coal processing waste as defined in Rule 1.04 "DEFINITIONS ", is produced from
any part of the Colowyo mining operations.
2.05.4 Reclamation Plan
The reclamation objective of Colowyo is to restore the mined area to a land use capability that will, be
equal to or better than that which currently exists or even better than existed pre- mining. Colowyo is the
landowner and does not desire to harm the post- mining value of the property, but to the contrary return a
financially superior parcel of land that could command a greater market price if sold. The first objective
of all reclamation practices is to stabilize the soil, maintain hydrologic and vegetation resources, and to
restore the approximate original contour of the mined area. Ultimately, the areas being mined will be
returned to their approximate original use as rangeland with watersheds having their approximate pre -
mining character. In general, the long term appearance and usefulness of the mine plan area will be
similar to that which would have been encountered prior to any mining.
From the beginning planning stages of the Colowyo mine, environmental concerns and reclamation
concerns and objectives have been an integral part of the mining and reclamation activities. In 1975, two
years prior to the commencement of mining, Colowyo contracted with Colorado State University to
conduct reclamation studies to develop methods to reestablish native plant species on disturbed lands, and
in particular native shrubs. Also included in these studies were: runoff and sediment plots, mulch plots,
fertilizer plots, seeding management practices individual species seedings, and species combination
seedings. The initial and last progress reports on these studies are included in Exhibit 10, Vegetation
Information.
The attainment of reclamation goals will be satisfied by implementation of the reclamation plan described
below. Colowyo will combine information from existing baseline conditions with modern practices of
reclamation technology to assure achievement of the reclamation objectives. The pre- mining condition of
the permit area has been characterized through collection of baseline data. After identification of pre -
mining conditions, mining and reclamation commenced in 1976 according to the following sequence:
(1) Removal of topsoil and vegetation
(2) Removal of overburden;
(3) Extraction of the coal resource;
(4) Backfilling, grading, and re- contouring of the surface to its approximate original contour;
(5) Reestablishment of surface drainage patterns;
(6) Topsoil Replacement; and
(7) Revegetation and restoration of the affected land to the pre- mining land use.
Such practices are expected to result in land use capabilities and productivity levels equal to or greater
Rule 2 Permits 2.05 -18 Revision Date: 6/11/12
Revision No.: RN -06