Specifications include, but are not limited to: eliminating approximately 6 acres of acid pits with a highwall spanning 2100 linear feet. The pits will be backfilled with onsite mine spoil material at slopes no steeper than 4:1 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 adjacent to the pit 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 soils. Once all acidic spoils are placed in the pit, then borrow material from spoil ridges to the north, south, and east of the pit will be utilized in developing the 4:1 slope required. Ditches consisting of both riprap and ECB will be utilized when necessary to control and establish drainage once the pit is closed. ECB diversion ditches will run to riprap down drains that will tie in the main drainage ditch leading out of the pit. The drop drains will be located every 500 feet or as depicted on the design plans. Drainage will tie into existing natural drains, leading to the creek to the east of the project. Best Management Practices (BMP's) for sediment control will be utilized at all times and any necessary silt control will be in place prior to any backfilling or moving of borrow material takes place. A smaller one acre silt basin, located to the west of the main pit, will be worked to establish positive drainage out of the basin and to keep the property owners driveway from flooding during storm events. A 24 inch HDPE culvert will be installed and a ditch from the basin to the culvert will be created as well as from the outlet of the culvert to the drainage ditch located to the southwest. Rock checks will be placed as needed in steep slope areas. Roadside ditch improvements will result from the extension of the ditch.
