Laserfiche WebLink
6.4.5 Exhibit E: Reclamation Plan <br /> Timing and Placement of Overburden Material <br /> As our mining operation includes using the present overburden material to produce the needed <br /> material, we do not expect to have a large quantity of overburden material left at the conclusion of <br /> mining activities. For reference, a reasonable maximum overburden stockpile quantity estimate was <br /> provided in the Mining Plan which can also be found within this permit package and will be used in our <br /> reclamation calculation. If there is overburden material left over at the conclusion of mining activities, <br /> this material will be regraded into the site before,or at the same time,as the salvaged topsoil material <br /> is placed. This decision will be made based on our experience and working directly with the local <br /> MRCS office. Located within this exhibit, you will find the preliminary recommendations from the local <br /> NRCS office. As discussed with them, we will reevaluate the plan once stripping has occurred to <br /> ensure the plan will hold up to final conditions and ensure a successful revegetation effort. Soil <br /> samples will also be taken and analyzed to ensure the recommended plan remains adequate. <br /> Reclaimed Slopes <br /> Area 1 and Area 2 will have a slope left in place when mining activities are complete. Both of these <br /> areas will be reclaimed to achieve a 3:1 slope or greater allowing the area as a whole to be used as <br /> pastureland once the site is completely mined.Our goal will be to regrade these slopes in a manner <br /> that reflects the natural topography and/or the condition of the area before we began mining. This <br /> process also mirrors the recommendations given by the local NRCS office. <br /> Plant Growth Medium Thickness <br /> As topsoil is very scarce in this region,we will make every effort possible to ensure all available topsoil <br /> is salvaged. We will stockpile this material in a location approximately 150 feet away from the mining <br /> operation to ensure it remains in good condition to replace during reclamation. These stockpiles will <br /> also be temporarily stabilized using a seed mixture provided by the NRCS office. This will ensure the <br /> topsoil material is kept in good condition and can be reused during the reclamation process. <br /> Substituting manure for topsoil is the alternative approach owner will take if we run short on top soil <br /> needed to reclaim the site.This alternative approach coincides with the recommendations given for this <br /> proposed mine by the local MRCS office. Soil samples will also be taken to ensure the material is <br /> favorable in supporting a successful revegetation effort. Only if the soil tests indicate that the plant <br /> growth medium that was salvaged is of sub-par quality to support a successful revegetation effort will <br /> the owner use fertilizer. Before this is done, the local NRCS office will be consulted to ensure their <br /> recommendations still hold true. A copy of their recommendations for seeding, supplementing topsoil <br /> with manure, and fertilization mixtures is included within this permit packet for reference. These <br /> recommendations given from NRCS office will be used for temporary seeding of stockpiles along with <br /> permanent seeding during the final site restoration process. <br />