The applicant proposes to conduct bituminous coal extraction on a proposed surface mine of approximately 570 acres to be known as the Three Forks Surface Mine. The applicant proposes to fill and excavate waters of the U. S. during mining for the purpose of recovering approximately 750,000 tons of coal from the Big Fork, Kennedy, Aily, Raven, and Tiller coal seams including all necessary support facilities (sediment control, access/haul roads, etc.) providing high quality thermal and primarily bituminous coal to meet current and future contractual.