eliminating approximately 2.2 acres of mining pits and reclaiming a 2350 linear feet highwall. 1700 linear feet of steep sloped mine spoil runs along Cool Springs Road and is hazardous to the motoring public. The site has been used as a dump site due to its ease of access to the public. The pits will be backfilled with onsite mine spoil material at slopes no steeper than 3:1 with some slopes milder and with transitions as required. Blasting will not be permitted. The water in the pits will be treated and raised to a pH of 6 or greater prior to release and backfilling of the pit in accordance with KYDAML Technical Specifications. Work for this project will involve the removal of trees measuring over 3 -inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) at the project location outside of exempt unstable areas and this cutting shall occur from October 15th March 31st, when the imperiled forest-dwelling bats are either within or in the immediate vicinity of their winter hibernacula. The clearing of trees over 5 DBH, which also display characteristics such as shaggy, exfoliating bark, or crevices and hollowed-out cavities within their trunks and larger limbs is also required outside of the exempt unstable areas, and consultation with United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has taken place. The USFWS stated no problems should arise if tree cutting is done within the recommended window. Acidic spoils, if encountered, shall be used first in backfilling the pit to eliminate the acid forming potential of these materials. This effort will require additional effort and may require double handling of some spoils. Once all acidic spoils are placed in the pit, then additional spoil material will be utilized in developing the backfill slope as shown on the cross sections. Ditches consisting of Native Sandstone, Class II channel lining and ECB will be utilized where shown on the plans or as directed to control and establish drainage once the pit is backfilled. ECB diversion benches will run to riprap down drains that will tie in the main drainage ditches that will flow into existing off-site drains. The drop drains will be located approximately 500 feet horizontally along the bench or where drainage from above the highwall would concentrate flows. ECB ditches will have rock trenches or log anchors spaced every 100 feet. In lieu of some ECB ditches, ditches incorporated with tree brush will be utilized. These vegetative brush-mat ditches will utilize tops and cuttings of trees from the site preparation and incorporate that material as a vegetative mat. This material should be cut in varying lengths but generally no longer that 20 ft. The maximum diameter should be 4-5 inches. The brush material should cover about 20-25 % of the surface area of the ditch, with approximately 1/3 of the material buried up to 1 foot deep, 1/3 of the material on the surface and 1/3 of the material protruding above the ditch up to 1 foot height. Construction methods may vary, but it is anticipated, an excavator, a small dozer and/or a skid steer with grapple will be required to construct these ditches. Best Management Practices (BMP's) for sediment control will always be utilized and any necessary silt control will be in place prior to any backfilling or moving of borrow material takes place. Rock checks will be placed as needed in steep slope areas.
