2014-06-20_REVISION - M1981207 (10)

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Blue Pit 112 Permit Amendment of groundwater in the area, which is the limiting factor in the pit depth, since the operation cannot expose groundwater. Originally, it was proposed that the southern face of Mining Area 2 would be mined at a slope of i.5H:1V and the visible portion of this slope will be temporarily reclaimed as the pit is lowered. In this way, the homes to the north would primarily see a reclaimed slope on the south of the pit. The proposal in this application will mine the top 30 vertical feet of the south slope to a 3H:iV slope, thereby allowing rapid reclamation of this slope, since no backfilling will be needed. The slope will only require topsoiling for final reclamation. This will sacrifice reserves all the way to the bottom of the pit, but it will provide excellent visual protection to the homes to the north. The remainder of the slope to the bottom will be mined at 1.51-1:1V. Once the pit reaches its final depth, the operation will move north, always working from the pit bottom. As this is done, the length of temporary vegetated slope will be expanded. As the pit bottom extends north, the south slope will be gradually restored to a 3H:1V slope, using overburden, processing fines and imported fill. The actual slope will be approximately 3.11-1:1V, since flat drainage benches will be installed on the slope to prevent later erosion. The plan basically allows for the reclamation of the southern slope of the pit to be reclaimed as it becomes visible, thus greatly minimizing the visual impacts. As the pit nears the western edge, the edge will be slightly visible until it is backfilled, but as the pictures in this report show, this impact is not significant. During the extension of mining to the north, topsoil and overburden will be stripped on the original surface, in advance of the mining operation. This will be visible, but it will be done in rectangular fashion, to look similar to a plowed field, which is done from time to time on the existing irrigated field. This topsoil and overburden stripping will take place approximately one or two weeks per year. Mining Area 3 is a small 4.2 acre area in the existing permit that may not be mined until later in the mine life. If this occurs, the mining of this area will cause temporary visual impacts to the homes to the north since this area is exposed. WSA commits to pushing the gravel material down to the pit bottom as fast as reasonably possible, and conducting the final reclamation of that small portion of the south slope as quickly as possible. Mine Facilities and Operations The mine facilities and operation will continue into the expansion area as it does now. The shop and stockpile area will remain in its current location near the access entrance until ample room is available on the pit floor. The fuel tank area will stay in its current location over the life of the pit, immediately southeast of the shop building. The wash plant and associated stockpiles are currently located north of the shop building. As mining progresses to the west, this facility will initially move to the area north of the current wash pond location north of the mining area and will eventually be moved to the pit floor. Both the intermediate and final locations are better visually than the existing location for the homes located north of the pit. Equipment parking is located east of the concrete plant and immediately south of the shop. These locations will be maintained for the life of the pit. All current facilities are shown on Map C -i. An office building exists near the mine entrance road into the permit area. It is a wood frame building on a concrete foundation. Blue Pit May 2014 D -5