Laserfiche WebLink
RULE 2 PERMITS <br />the regrading and backfilling of the spoil material will be as contemporaneous as possible behind <br />the mined -out area to facilitate proper leveling of the overburden material. The mining techniques <br />utilizing dragline and truck/shovel operation are shown in detail on Mining Range Diagram (Map <br />24), and show the approximate distance between topsoil removal and replacement. <br />The backfilled mining areas will be graded to establish the approximate original contour and to <br />blend in with the undisturbed areas outside the mining limits. Colowyo will grade all final slopes <br />so that overall grades do not exceed 33%. Additional information on the backfilling and regrading <br />plan are discussed further in Section 2.05.3 and Section 4.14. <br />Where necessary, the spoil surface will be roughened by ripping or discing etc., to ensure a bond <br />between the topsoil and spoil to reduce slippage. To date there is no evidence of topsoil slippage <br />on reclaimed areas. A few small tension cracks resulting from settling of fill and topsoil have <br />occurred in a few areas within a year or two after reclamation, but soon stabilize and begin to fill <br />in. <br />The final surface as shown on the Post -mining Topography Map (Map 19) will approximate the <br />overall pre -mining grades. Appropriate cross sections that show the anticipated final surface <br />configuration of the proposed permit area, in conjunction with the existing pre -mining topography, <br />are shown on the Pre -mining and Post -mining Cross Section (Map 20). <br />This final surface configuration also reflects an often neglected concept of providing topographic <br />relief for wildlife habitat. The regrading plan reestablishes escape cover, south facing slopes for <br />wintering big game populations and small drainages suitable as future location of stockponds <br />necessary to achieve the post -mining land use. <br />Colowyo has prepared this reclamation plan with the understanding that some aspects of current <br />reclamation practices are still in the development stages. Therefore, a degree of flexibility has <br />been provided to allow changes and modification as techniques are refined or expanded. Colowyo <br />will continue to evaluate the results of its reclamation plan each year in consultation with the <br />Division and take advantage of each opportunity to try new plant species and materials and new <br />methods for seeding and erosion control. <br />Given the last statement above a modified seed mixture(s), revegetation metrics, and bond release <br />protocols designed to target specific post -mining land use components are presented within the <br />context of this section (2.05.4) as well as the revegetation requirements, Section 4.15. In effect, <br />reclamation occurring at Colowyo during 2008 and beyond will focus on the replacement of the <br />two primary subcomponents of the pre -mining rangeland land use: 1) grazingland (for domestic <br />livestock), and 2) wildlife habitat (specifically targeting sage grouse brood -rearing habitat). The <br />replacement of these two land use subcomponents will be effected by replacement of two primary <br />revegetation communities: 1) grassland and 2) sagebrush steppe, respectively. Additional <br />"incentive" for this new reclamation approach will be the validation (and modification as <br />necessary) of said techniques necessary to address similar concerns related to greater acreages of <br />potential impact on Colowyo lands located to the West of existing operations. <br />Reclamation beginning in 2008 will be responsive to a new revegetation philosophy utilizing a <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.05-21 Revision Date: 5/25/18 <br />Revision No.: RN -07 <br />