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EXHIBIT D- RECLAMATION PLAN <br /> Reclamation of the disturbed areas will occur following completion of the operation and areas <br /> that might be disturbed and no longer used, will be reclaimed in a timely manner following end <br /> of use. The life of the operation is indeterminate at this time and for current purposes simply <br /> estimated at 10 years. The area is currently zoned as A-1 (agricultural) with the Cripple Creek <br /> Mining Overlay District(CCMOD)located nearby to the south and east. At the time operations <br /> cease, it is anticipated that the surface be converted to use as range land. Certain features such as <br /> historic prospect pits and rock piles may be left in place to maintain the historic presence of <br /> mining in this portion of the district making it comparable with other parts of the historic Cripple <br /> Creek Mining District. <br /> (a) No overburden is associated with this site. Historically,roads and levels areas have <br /> been cut into the hillsides to provide access and working surfaces. <br /> (b) It should be noted, that Rule 6 suggests that reclaimed hillside slopes not exceed 1 <br /> to 3 (V:H). This recommendation is not realistic in the Cripple Creek area, as the <br /> majority of the natural hillside slopes within the permit area already exceed this <br /> gradient with many of the hillsides slopes approaching an angle of 1 to 1.5 (V:H). <br /> Thus, grading to this requirement would require reducing the natural slopes by <br /> scraping off the entire top of the adjacent mountain to achieve these goals. Thus, <br /> this goal is not a very realistic objective. <br /> The final use of the post-mined permit area surface will be to maximize level areas. <br /> These areas will be beneficial to maximize the production of grass for livestock, for <br /> ease of access for animal movement, for property maintenance, and other related <br /> purposes. When post-mining reclamation occurs, the first priority will be to obtain <br /> hillside bedrock stability. Once this is accomplished, then the next priority will be <br /> the establishment of vegetative cover in the areas where the post-mining landowner <br /> wishes to have pasture grass. Per the land owner's preference, many of the existing <br /> roads and trails that were in place prior to issuance of the permit, will be left in <br /> place for access, safety and general fire protection. The roads and trails that are <br /> anticipated to be reclaimed are shown on Exhibit Map E-1, as are the roads that will <br /> remain open and accessible for the landowner. <br /> (c)(i) As all areas where work is anticipated to be done will be located in areas that are <br /> already historical disturbed, and no new significant disturbance is anticipated,there <br /> will be no large volumes of soils that can be stockpiled. As a result,revegetation <br /> will rely on developing suitable growth media using the materials that make up the <br /> existing surface. Experience has found that with proper seed bed preparation, the <br /> resulting materials can produce reasonable vegetative growth. One disadvantage in <br /> trying to reclaim areas around Cripple Creek are the large number of elk herds that <br /> travel the area. The consumption of plant matter by the herd can lead to reduced <br /> plant mass and stunted growth. This can make reclamation difficult, and cost the <br /> rancher the loss of feed for his livestock. <br />