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Applicant Response: Fertilizer will be selected based on the CSU Extension Office soil test <br /> results that are attached to this response.Exhibit L has been revised to reflect the estimated cost of <br /> this fertilizer. The gold operation already incorporates these costs into the revegetation cost for <br /> range areas. Mulch and fertilizer will only be used in range areas. <br /> 13. The Reclamation Plan(page 49) states that all reclaimed areas will receive 2.5" to 3" of <br /> topsoil or substitute fines. This appears to be in contradiction to other statements made <br /> throughout the Application. The Reclamation Plan(page 48)also states that an average of <br /> 3" of substitute fines would be applied to the reclaimed gravel operation,which implies a <br /> range of 2"to 4" inches. In addition,the Operator has also committed to salvaging an <br /> average of 4.5" of topsoil from undisturbed areas. The Division understands that the gravel <br /> and gold operations are conducted independently of each other.However, from the <br /> Division's perspective this is a single mine site which should have a consistent reclamation <br /> plan across the operations. Please clarify the average amount of topsoil and substitute fines <br /> to be replaced for the whole operation. See additional comments under Items No. 5-7. <br /> Applicant Response: Substitute fines will be applied to an average depth of 4.5 inches <br /> wherever they are used. Permit pages 23, 28, 33,44,45,47,48,49,& 82 have all been updated <br /> to reflect the average depth of 4.5 inches in reclamation. <br /> 6.4.12 Exhibit L—Reclamation Costs <br /> 14. The proposed reclamation costs for the gold operation are based on three cuts or phases in <br /> the following conditions: active mining, active reclamation and active stripping. The <br /> proposed bonding structure assumes that once a phase has been completely reclaimed,then <br /> the financial warranty associated with that particular phase may be applied to another <br /> undisturbed phase. The bonding structure does not account for any remaining costs <br /> associated with the potential failure of vegetation for each of the reclaimed phases. Please <br /> indicate how the Operator intends to bond for this liability until such time as a reclaimed <br /> area has been released from further reclamation responsibility. <br /> Applicant Response: Gold operations at Alma Placer take place in a three cut sequence as <br /> outlined in the amendment.New cuts are opened as old ones are reclaimed. There can be <br /> transitionary times when an old cut is not revegetated by the time the new cut is opened. The <br /> altitude at Alma Placer makes revegetation slower,and therefore the Alma Placer does not wait <br /> on old revegetation before starting new mining. Given the Division's concern about potential <br /> liability from phases that are mid-revegetation, Alma Placer will maintain the necessary bond for <br /> the seeding and mulching of two phases. This provides sufficient bond for the scenario outlined <br /> by the Division above. See the revised page 79 of Exhibit L. <br /> 15. The Division will calculate the required financial warranty amount once all of the <br /> adequacy issues have been addressed. <br /> Applicant Response:Noted <br />