2014-07-11_PERMIT FILE - M2014024

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EXHIBIT E -Reclamation Plan a) The pre-mining land use is non-irrigated cropland. The perimeter of the fields(approximately 15 feet from fence lines)can be classified as rangeland since it is vegetated with a native grasses. The landowner currently follows a rotation of planting 1/3 of the mining area with winter wheat, 1/3 of the mining area with sudan,and 1/3 of the mining are is left in summer fallow. According to crop insurance records provided by the landowner, the average yield for the period between 2004 and 2013 for winter wheat was 15 bushels/ac. The average yield for the sudan during the same period was 1 to 2 tons/ac for use as cattle feed. b) The post-mining land use will be non-irrigated cropland with the expectation that the owner will follow the same pre-mining crop rotation.The proposed post-mining land use is consistent with the surrounding land uses. The property to the north of the permit area has been mined and converted to rangeland,the property to the east is utilized for rangeland, the property to the west is rangeland and cropland, and the unmined portion of the property on which this permit application is submitted for is utilized as cropland. c) Reclaimed slopes will be graded at a maximum of four to one(4:1)horizontal to vertical. The portions of the mine permit area that are to be returned to cropland will be graded so they can be traversed with farm equipment. d) Site reclamation will be sequential as mined areas are completed. Sand and gravel excavation, crushing, and stockpiling at the Koskie site will commence upon receipt of approval from the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology. Rock excavation and crushing will be seasonal with stockpiling of gravel for later uses depending upon the local road repair and construction needs. Topsoil stockpiled at the site will be utilized for reclamation following cessation of gravel excavation/mining. The pit will be graded so that any stormwater will be directed along its historical flow path towards Lone Tree Creek. See Exhibit F. e) Reclaimed areas will be stabilized by: i) Concurrent regrading on areas of the site where excavation has been completed. ii) Replacement of topsoil in thicknesses equal to or exceeding(minimum 6 inches)the original topsoil depths found at the site. iii) Disturbed areas that are to be returned to cropland will be reclaimed with the crops that were grown previous to the mining activity(winter wheat and sudan). iv) Disturbed areas outside of the fields will be reclaimed with a native grass mixture. The proposed seed mix for the disturbed areas outside of the fields is: Buffalo grass(Buchloe dacyloides) 4.5 lbs PLS/ac Blue grama(Bouteloua gracilis) 3 lbs PLS/ac Sideoats grama(Bouteloua curtipendula) 2 lbs PLS/ac Green needlegrass 1 lbs PLS/ac Switchgrass(Panicum virgatum) 1 lbs PLS/ac Little Bluestein(Schizachyrium scoparium) 1 lbs PLS/ac Western wheatgrass(Pascopyrum smithii) 1.5 lbs PLS/ac Total: 14 lbs PLS/ac v) Seeding of the disturbed areas outside of those areas that are to be returned to cropland will be between December 1 and May 1. vi) Depending on ambient conditions,the application method for those areas being seeded may be hand broadcast,hyrdoseeded,or drilled and crimped. Mulch application at the rate of 2 tons/ac may be concurrent with seeding. Mulch may include hay,straw and tackifer. All hay or straw mulch shall be certified noxious weed free grass hay or crop straw. At least 70% of the mulch by weight shall be 10 inches or more in length. Mulch shall not contain any noxious weeds,mold,must,cake,or decay. Straw mulch shall not contain excessive viable grain(wheat, barley, or oat seed.) vii) Fertilizers will not be used in the disturbed areas outside of the areas to be returned to cropland. The farmer may apply fertilizers to those areas that are to be returned to M:\Mining\Koskie\DRMS ApplicatioMKoskie Application Exhibits 7-9-14.doc 7/9/2014