2018-01-03_PERMIT FILE - M2017036 (3)

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To: Jared Ebert Date: December 29. 2017 Page 9 with front end loaders, scrapers, trucks, or other equipment as needed and leveled out with a blade or other similar equipment. A dozer or similar equipment will be used to place topsoil on the reclaimed slopes; placed topsoil will be cat-tracked vertically to the slope with a dozer to compact the topsoil and to create horizontal pockets to hold seed and water. Comment 17 Section 7.4.2 of the reclamation plan indicates LRM plans to utilize native grass species for revegetation. The proposed seed mixture included on Table 1 of the reclamation plan includes five species of grass and only two of these are native to Colorado. Please revise the seed mixture to include native grasses. The Division recommends contacting the local Natural Recourses Conservation Service office to identify appropriate species to establish at the site. LRM may want to consider proposing two seed mixtures, one for the area to be reclaimed to pastureland and the other for areas to be reclaimed for Wildlife Habitat. Response17 Exhibit F (Attachment 2) Reclamation Plan Map has been corrected and revised to show the site will be reclaimed with pasture grass. It has been determined that Reclaimed Pasture is the appropriate term for the post-mining reclaimed use for this site. As further clarification, the reclaimed areas will be seeded with a pasture grass mix. LRM plans to utilize a seed mix that contains grass species that are proven to be adapted for this area based on recommendation from Pawnee Butte Seed Inc. The seed mix shown in Table 1 of the reclamation plan in the original submittal is correct. While the proposed seed mix has several species of native grass included, it was never intended to reclaim this site exclusively to native grasses. It appears an earlier unedited version of Exhibit E was inadvertently included in the original submittal. Comment 18 LRM indicates that they may plant a number of wildflower species, given that the post mine land use calls for establishing wildlife habitat, the Division believes a diverse native mixture of grasses and forbs would be appropriate to accomplish this. Please provide the proposed seed quantities of these wildflower species to be planted at the site. Response 18 Exhibit F (Attachment 2) Reclamation Plan Map has been corrected and revised to show the site will be reclaimed with pasture grass. The seed mix shown in Table 1 of the reclamation plan in the original submittal is correct. Response to DBMS comments T E L E S T