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Colowyo Coal Company L.P. <br />Neilson Pit <br />Since the water is alkaline, the pH is above 7, but rarely exceeding 8.4. Concentrations <br />of heavy metals rarely exceed health limits, as stated in the USGS report. This has also <br />been confirmed by the shallow groundwater monitoring performed since the Neilson Pit <br />began operation. <br />Conclusions <br />The Neilson Pit has no single or multiple continuous geologic units in the mine that <br />contains groundwater under unconfined or confined conditions. The only groundwater <br />encountered is the discontinuous perched pockets of groundwater. This lack of <br />groundwater, except for discontinuous perched groundwater pockets, encountered during <br />mining precludes the necessity to monitor groundwater on a ridge top. Furthermore, no <br />surface water rights will be impacted by mining of the Neilson Pit. <br />6.3.3.6 Primary and Secondary Commodities <br />The primary aggregate mined from the Neilson Pit is scoria. Colowyo uses the mined <br />aggregate on the roads within Colowyo's coal mine. No secondary commodities are <br />mined at the Neilson Pit. <br />6.3.3.7 Blasting <br />No blasting will occur during mining for the purpose of extracting minerals from the <br />Neilson Pit. <br />6.3.4 Exhibit D — Reclamation Plan <br />The reclamation objective of Colowyo is to restore the mined pit to a land use capability <br />which will, be equal to or better than that which currently exists. Prior to mining the <br />Neilson Pit was a rock outcrop, however, after mining it will be regraded and to create a <br />stable slope which will be seeded with shrubs to encourage wildlife habitat. <br />The first objectives of all reclamation practices are to stabilize the soils, maintain <br />hydrologic and vegetation resources. In general, the long term appearance and usefulness <br />of the Neilson Pit will be similar to that which would have been encountered prior to any <br />mining. <br />The attainment of the reclamation goals will be satisfied by the implementation of the <br />reclamation plan described below. <br />(1) Extraction of the mineral resource; <br />(2) Grading, and re- contouring of the surface to a 3:1 slope <br />(3) Shrub revegetation and restoration of the affected land to the pre- mining <br />land use. <br />Such practices are expected to result in land use capabilities and productivity levels equal <br />to or greater than those presently found prior to mining. <br />0 <br />