2014-10-21_REVISION - M1988044 (5)

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TR-07 RECLAMATION PLAN Discussion: This is necessary to increase the surface area of the soil, and maintain a surface that is capable of absorbing water before it can drain down the hill. If the surface is smooth, runoff will occur more rapidly and the soil will be excessively dry. Excessive runoff produces sheet erosion and soil loss and eventually rill erosion which can lead to gully erosion and, finally, a real mess. When that happens, the only remedy is usually to regrade at least the damaged area and start over. That is not to say that loose surfaces can't erode seriously. In a very large thunderstorm, even soil that can soak up water like a sponge can erode. But at least a loose surface helps reduce this risk until the vegetation can become sufficiently developed to control much of the erosion. REQUIREMENT 13: If the soil is not seeded within a week or two after distribution, the soil surface will be periodically loosened to avoid establishment of a smooth surface. REQUIREMENT 14: Whenever possible, soil placement and final grading will not occur during the heavy thunderstorm season(generally May through early September). Soil stripping can occur during this time, but soil replacement should not occur during this time unless it cannot be delayed. Soil replaced during this time may require extensive (and expensive) reworking prior to planting. (TR-07 Note: On the remaining area to be mined, this requirement is only a preferred approach. This land has little relief and the final topography will be similar.) IDEAL, RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE: (TR-07 Note: On the remaining land to be mined, this approach is fairly compatible with the nature of the topography and the area to be mined.) Ideally, soil stripping and replacement should occur after the first hard freeze and well before the start of the next growing season. Soil stripping in the winter has a large advantage over soil stripping in the summer. In the summer, most of the vegetation is killed in the stripping process. In the winter, some of the vegetation is killed but most of it remains in a dormant condition. If the soil is then replaced before the next growing season at least part of the original vegetation will regrow the next year. This can greatly accelerate the revegetation process, producing a more mature growth faster. This can eliminate the need to seed the soil altogether or only need a little interseeding. The very best practice is to strip the soil from one area in the winter and immediately place it on a newly backfilled and graded area. In this practice, no stockpiling even occurs and far more of the existing vegetation survives and grows the next year. Unfortunately such an ideal procedure is not always possible, due to market demands and many other factors. Winter-only-soil-salvage is not a requirement of the plan. But this procedure should be used whenever possible as it usually produces the highest reclamation success at the lowest cost. Coal Creek Sand Resource Amendment 3 (2005)- M-1988-044 Exhibit E Page 13