2013-10-06_PERMIT FILE - C1981019

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RULE 2 PERMITS ridge tops and gradually increasing in depth to the base of coherent drainages. Large drainage bottom channels in the Collom area that will convey water on a consistent basis will receive little to no topsoil resource as any topsoil placed in these areas will likely be mobilized and washed down the drainage. The full application of seed will still be applied to these areas in order to minimize erosion and allow vegetation to establish in these special locations, adding an additional dimension of potential vegetation community diversity. Topsoil depth variability will be applied in all practical locations to maximize plant community diversity in areas designated for grassland. Because the volume of topsoil to be applied to sagebrush steppe targeted areas is much less, and the creation of a seedbed conducive for shrub establishment is of major importance, the variability of topsoil depths within these areas may be limited. However, wherever practical, Colowyo will also make attempts to vary topsoil depths in the Sagebrush Steppe areas as well. Colowyo will ensure proper topsoil resource management through annual analysis of the topsoil balance in stockpiles, the expected areas for the following year's reclamation focus, the total disturbance area, and the results of topsoil stripping activities each year. Topsoil redistribution criteria specific to sagebrush steppe areas are defined further on in this section. Starting in 2005, Section 11 of the Annual Reclamation Report presents a summary of topsoil stockpile volumes and a table showing the average topsoil replacement depth for each reclamation polygon, and information on overall topsoil balance. Topsoil will normally be reapplied by hauling, in trucks, from topsoil stockpiles or from areas where topsoil has been removed for mining advance, to the regraded spoil areas and then redistributed with dozers. Alternate methods may also include placing topsoil on slopes with a dragline followed by redistribution with dozer, or using a scraper to redistribute the topsoil. It is anticipated that on slopes of < 10% it will be safe to strategically place rows of topsoil in a designated pattern with haul trucks to ensure the desired four to six inches of topsoil can be dozed into position. If a dozer operator doesn't do this properly, he won't have enough material to cover the entire area and it will be obvious what has occurred. Depth control on the Sagebrush Steppe areas will be verified as the project progresses and any deviations from the plan will be rectified at that time. Depth readings will also be taken after the area has been completely topsoiled, sufficient to ensure that Colowyo can demonstrate compliance with the plan. Even if scrapers are used to initially lay topsoil down, it is anticipated that some dozer work will be needed to do the finish work. The required volume of material will be at /on the location. Verification work will lead to additional dozer /scraper work if necessary to ensure proper final placement. If depth control becomes an issue, staking will be initiated as an additional guide for operators. On areas of > 10% slope it is anticipated that dozers will work together with scrapers to accomplish a gradually thicker application of topsoil on these slopes. As Colowyo has always done, depth stakes at regular intervals will provide guidance to the operators. Depth readings will be taken while the operations are progressing and any issues will be rectified at that time. Depth readings will also be taken after the area has been completely topsoiled, sufficient to ensure that Colowyo can demonstrate compliance with the plan. The allocated volume of topsoil for each area will be hauled to the location, most likely with haul trucks and scrapers as close as safely possible to the final intended location, then dozed into place or placed via scrapers. Verification work will lead to additional dozer /scraper work if necessary to ensure proper final placement. Colowyo will institute a topsoil depth verification program to document ecologically significant variations in topsoil where applicable (i.e. grassland areas) and confirm more uniform topsoil reapplications (i.e. sagebrush steppe areas). It will consist of recording topsoil depths on five acre centers overlaid on each reclamation unit, similar to re- graded overburden suitability monitoring. Specific depth sampling point locations and results will be recorded and reported in the subsequent years Annual Collom — Rule 2, Page 107 Revision Date: 9/28/11 Revision No.: PR -03