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63.3 Exhibit D—Reclamation Plan <br /> 10. The Applicant is proposing to construct the WRL in stages from the bottom to the top. The <br /> Reclamation Plan calls for clearing topsoil from a stage and windrowing the topsoil at the <br /> top of the stage. The Reclamation Plan states that once placement of waste rock is complete <br /> for a stage, the stripped topsoil will be replaced. The current Reclamation Plan will involve <br /> running equipment over areas which have had topsoil replaced. The topsoil should be <br /> handled as little as possible and once replaced, the topsoil should be seeded as soon as <br /> practically possible. Please describe how the Operator will construct the WRL without <br /> impacting fully or partially reclaimed areas and clarify if seeding will be done at the end of <br /> each stage or when construction of the WRL is complete. <br /> The WRL will be built in stages by having an active dump stage,a stage being graded to final <br /> slopes,and a retopsoiled and revegetated stage. The operator will not run waste pile equipment <br /> on replaced topsoil and revegetated ground. Seeding will take place over topsoiled ground when a <br /> stage, or portion of a stage, is completed. <br /> 11. The Reclamation Plan calls for constructing the WRL in stages. Please clarify what <br /> constitutes a stage and specify how many stages are required to construct the WRL. <br /> A stage of the WRL is determined entirely based on the mining activity finished in a season. <br /> Assuming consistent mining season to season, and there will be 3 to 5 stages. <br /> 12. As noted under Item No. 7, the Division believes the development of the portal will <br /> result in a new discharge point. Therefore, the Reclamation Plan must include a <br /> provision as to how any potential discharges will be eliminated at the end of the life <br /> of the mine, i.e. hydraulic bulkhead. <br /> The grouting plan described in the mining plan will prevent any surface discharge, if water is <br /> encountered underground. The mine will be dry, so the grouting plan will likely not be needed. <br /> 13. In the Division's Preliminary Adequacy Review Letter, the Division asked the <br /> Applicant to clarify if Ferry's oatgrass, a species listed in the seed mix to be used <br /> for reclamation, was intended to be listed as Parry's oatgrass. The revised seed mix <br /> still lists Ferry's oatgrass. The Division will assume the Applicant intended to list <br /> Parry's oatgrass as the species to be planted. This species is typically found on <br /> mid-elevation montane grasslands. A more appropriate species would be Timber <br /> oatgrass, which is found in alpine and subalpine grasslands. Please consider <br /> replacing Parry's oatgrass with Timber oatgrass. <br /> See the response to item 14. <br /> 14. The Applicant has provided a revised seed mix which includes Prairie junegrass, <br /> Red clover, White clover and Birdsfoot trefoil. These species are not suited to <br /> alpine conditions. The Division recommends replacing these species with others <br /> which are more suitable for alpine conditions. If the Applicant does not replace <br /> these species, then the Reclamation Plan must be revised to include a plan for <br /> inoculation of Red clover, White Clover and Birdsfoot Trefoil prior to planting. <br /> A revised seed mix can be found on page D-2. <br /> 3 <br />