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Reclamation Unit: North Visual Berm. This long and high berm is composed of the soil and <br /> overburden that was removed from the pit area prior to mining the sand and gravel. This provides <br /> almost the single source of soil and overburden for the reclamation of the entire site. <br /> Before describing the utilization of the berm material in the reclamation, it needs to be pointed <br /> out that there is no particularly important reason to remove the berm from east to west as recommended <br /> here. In fact, the reclamation units described here can be rearranged, even to the extent of pretty much <br /> reversing the order and doing the Northwest Basin first by removing the North Berm from west to east. <br /> But the procedure presented here (removal in an east to west direction)seems to be the less costly <br /> approach and most convenient if the reclamation is done with a view toward reclamation being the <br /> reverse of mining with respect to direction. This is the last mined-first reclaimed approach often used <br /> for mines that are not completed with regard to removing all of the permitted material. With the pit <br /> entrance being on the west side, it is often best to go to the opposite end of the excavation and work <br /> back toward the entrance. This avoids leaving one or more access roads being reclaimed after everything <br /> else is done. Sometimes, that encourages unauthorized visitors to use those paths that were last <br /> reclaimed as if they are just overgrown roads and creating damage to the reclamation. Fixing subsequent <br /> damages can be expensive and can result in even more damage that must also be fixed. <br /> Utilization of this material will start at the east end of the berm and work westward along the <br /> berm as needed. An access road will be needed along the base of the berm. In constructing this access, <br /> use great care to insure the road does not intrude into the area to be released which has occurred under a <br /> separate action completed at about the same time this reclamation plan was approved. Crossing the line <br /> would be a serious violation. Also, keep in mind that not only does the land under the berm need to be <br /> reclaimed once the material is removed down to the original surface,but the access road will also need <br /> to be reclaimed. <br /> Reclaiming both of these features will likely require ripping or otherwise loosening the top of the <br /> material that was under the berm as well as the material that formed the surface of the road. This <br /> reclamation, at least the surface treatment, will be done in sections as removal of the berm is completed. <br /> Planting does not need to be immediate, but that can be done. If the surface is sufficiently loose seed can <br /> be broadcast in small batches as each surface treatment is finished. If seeding occurs within a couple of <br /> days of the loosening the surface and then the surface is dragged to help bury the seed,this type of <br /> seeding can be just as successful as drilling the seed and a great deal less involved and much less <br /> expensive. However, drilling can also be used, if larger areas are seeded at once. <br /> Vollmer Pit Technical Revision June 2018 Updated Reclamation Plan Page 14 of 26 <br />