2019-02-13_REVISION - M2000077 (5)

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J Mule Creek Gravel Pit - Dcci,ion Notice Lind FUNSI t)i/1 i/00 Pale f Pre-production site preparation activities are desWiled primM-11V tO Serurc the site huundaries. provide access for mining. storage and removal of gravel. and tO implement drainage improvements. The production phase of the reduced mine size consists of the activities necessary to remove gravel, prepare and stockpile the mined material. and then remove the material from the site. The size of the expanded quarry and total production would be scaled back to approximately 58 percent of the mining area under Alternative B. The reduced size mining operation would occupy a total of 18 acres. 14 acres on National Forest System Land and 4 acres on private land. It would remove approximately 500.000 tons of gravel from the federal land and reclaim the site within a period of 5 to 7 years. The mine production rate, based upon estimated gravel demands, would be approximately the same as under the proposed action (Alternative B) averaging about 100,000 tons per year. The mine expansion area would cover Only the northern part (58%) of the area impacted by the previous quarry. The quarry would operate I between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is anticipated that an average of two full-time employees would be required to operate the site, with one or two additional employees occasionally required for peak production periods associated with special projects. ' I The reclamation phase of the reduced mine size would follow the production phase as mining progresses from north to south. Under this alternative, only the northern part of the previously impacted area would be reclaimed. Final reclamation will be completed less than one year after mining has been completed. The reclamation process would be similar to that described for Alternative B. However, the northern part of the gravel pit is characterized by less steep slopes and Ifewer rock outcrops than the southern part. Thus, less steep slopes and fewer rock outcrops are expected after the completion of the reclamation process. Under Alternative C, the areas covered with topsoil would be seeded following surface 1preparation with a spring tooth harrow. Early-mid sera! stage plants associated to the climax forest in the project area would be identified. Those native plants would evolve in natural progression to maintain the integrity of plant association. In order j to identify the climax forest and native plants in the project area, field work would be conducted prior to the production phase. For native species, utilization of sterile non- native plants such as sterile wheat or oats may constitute an appropriate Best IManagement Practice (BMP). Similarly to Alternative B, slow releasing organic fertilizer, such as "Biosol", will be applied to topsoil after placement. However, under Alternative C the recommended i rates for nitrogen and phosphate will be as follows: 800 to 1,800 Ibs per acre during j Primary Fertilization, and 600 to 1,000 Ibs per acre during Secondary Fertilization. I IThe reclamation of the gravel pit will be done in accordance with applicable USDA- NRCS specifications, standards and guidelines. National Forest standards specific to Hydrosphere Resource Consultants, 1002 Walnut Suite 200.Boulder.CO 80302