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Mr. Keller <br />February 12, 2014 <br />Page 13 <br />14. The Mining Plan Map states that the reclaimed area will have a berm to prevent discharge of <br />stormwater to the Big Sandy Creek. Please provide a brief discussion of the timing of <br />construction of the berm. Also, provide a representative cross - section of the berm. <br />15. The Reclamation Plan Maps shows the site will be mined to the edge of the permit boundary. <br />It has been the Division's experience that Operators have a difficult time containing all <br />mining related disturbance inside of the permit boundary at sites which do not have offsets <br />between the affected area and the permit boundary. Please indicate if the Operator intends on <br />maintaining any offsets between the affected area and the permit boundary. <br />6.4.5 Exhibit E — Reclamation Plan <br />16. The Reclamation Plan states that the elevation of the existing grade will be reduced by 1 to 6 <br />feet. However, the Reclamation also states that the elevation of the existing grade will be <br />reduced by 1 to 8 feet. Please clarify this discrepancy. <br />17. The Reclamation Plan states that it is estimated that topsoil is between 6 to 12 inches in <br />depth. However, the Mining Plan also states that the estimated topsoil depth is between 6 <br />inches to 2 feet in depth. Please clarify this discrepancy. <br />18. As noted above, the Mining Plan Map states the reclaimed area will have a berm along the <br />Big Sandy Creek. Please clarify if this stormwater control feature will be removed following <br />final reclamation of the site. Rule 3.1.6 states that disturbances to the prevailing hydrologic <br />balance of the affected land and of the surrounding area and to the quantity or quality of <br />water in surface and groundwater systems both during and after the mining operation and <br />during reclamation shall be minimized. Therefore, the Reclamation Plan should be revised to <br />include a discussion of the removal and reclamation of the berm along the Big Sandy Creek. <br />19. The Applicant has stated that fertilizer will be applied to the reclaimed area during final <br />reclamation. Please indicate if any soil tests have been conducted to determine whether <br />fertilizer application is necessary for revegetation of the site. <br />20. The Applicant has stated that noxious weeds will be treated if encountered. Please clarify if <br />the Operator has observed any noxious weeds at the site. Also, if weed treatment is necessary <br />at the site, then provide a weed control plan with the following information: <br />a) A list of potential species of noxious weeds that may occur on the site. <br />b) A description of the various control measures that will be employed such as mechanical, <br />chemical, biological control or a combination of the three methods. <br />c) Provide a monitoring plan that specifies how often the Operator will monitor the site and <br />the actions that will be taken if noxious weeds are detected. <br />d) Provide a post- treatment monitoring plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the control <br />measures. <br />e) Provide a commitment that the weed control plan will be implemented for the life of the <br />mine. <br />21. Please specify the application rate of straw mulch; the Division recommends 2 tons per acre. <br />