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attached map, establishes a proposed setback from Low Back Creek which is included in the project's <br />mining plan as a minimum boundary of disturbance for the project. This setback was developed by the <br />landowner and operator at CPW's request, and while CPW staff are generally comfortable with the <br />proposed setback, we additionally recommend that the setback be extended to 150 feet on each side of the <br />stream in areas where the mapped setback doesn't exceed 150 feet from each stream bank. We also <br />recommend that an additional map showing these areas of extension from the currently mapped setback <br />be included in the final mining plan in order for the mining operator and staff to properly orient to this <br />,recommended stream buffer. <br />Throughout our consultation on this project it was apparent the landowner is concerned about impacts to <br />this stream as well as aquatic wildlife. In addition to the proposed Low Back Creek setback, Pioneer <br />Sand and Gravel staff outlined best management practices they will utilize during their mining project to <br />include the following: <br />1. A down cut at the edge of extraction, rather than the creation of an upland berm, that will help <br />prevent potential erosion occurring outside the mined area. <br />2. A down cut of 7 -12 feet for mining extraction which will not break into the water table, thus <br />minimizing the potential for the mining activity to dewater the stream. <br />3. Extraction of materials will occur using best management practices that will avoid impacts to <br />Low Back Creek. <br />4. Reclamation will occur on all areas of mined lands or lands impacted by mining, n-rinirnizing the <br />potential for long term impacts to Low Back Creek while also improving the upland grassland <br />habitat to a better condition. <br />CPW offers these recommendations for final reclamation: <br />1. Non - essential roads and other areas where earth has been moved should be restored to <br />approximate, as close as possible, the original contour of the land. <br />2. Once sites have been re- contoured and compacted, any topsoil removed from the site should <br />be redistributed over the entire disturbed area from which it was salvaged. Replaced topsoil <br />will be left in the roughened condition to discourage erosion. Additional erosion control and <br />soil stabilization may be required on steeper slopes, in areas of erodible soils, and in areas <br />adjacent to or within the Low Back and Hardscrabble drainage. <br />3. Seedbeds should be scarified, tilled, or harrowed to a depth of 3 to 4 inches to enhance re- <br />vegetation. Those sites where this method is not practical (e.g., steep slopes, rocky areas, <br />etc.) should be dozer tracked perpendicular to the slope or otherwise left with adequate <br />roughness following topsoil placement to provide micro sites to facilitate seed germination, <br />and reduced soil movement and erosion. <br />4. Re- vegetation should be done with native species. The basic seed mixtures and seeding rates <br />should be based on NRCS recommendations and final approval given by the affected <br />landowner. <br />5. Erosion control methods should be utilized as needed to prevent movement across the <br />landscape and ingress into Low Back and Hardscrabble Creek. Site specific applications of <br />mulch should be applied on erodible soils to control erosion. In areas with slopes in excess of <br />