2019-04-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (6)

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RULE 2 PERMITS will be planned, monitored and verified through load count, time card coding and engineering plan designation of placement of the material on a reclamation unit basis. Overall topsoil balance oversight is performed and reported annually in the Annual Reclamation Report. The overall goal of both the Division and Colowyo is to replace the entire resource in a manner that promotes the likelihood reclaimed areas will meet the success criteria for Phase III Bond Release after the required liability periods and thereby create reclaimed lands that reflect the desired post -mine land use (grazingland and sagebrush steppe). Reapplied topsoil will be left in a rough condition to help control wind and water erosion prior to seeding. In the case of scraper -applied topsoil, dozers usually cross -rip along slope contours at intervals of about 50-75 feet to provide additional surface roughness. Also, contour furrows are almost always put in place when scrapers are utilized to minimize any sheet flow from the topsoil surface. Due to the specific equipment used for the Sagebrush Steppe areas, topsoil will be left in a more smooth condition to ensure proper seeding depth as described in the text. Any topsoil put into final position with a dozer will by practice be in a state of rough condition. Previous roughening efforts at Colowyo have been extreme, leading to difficulties in placing seed at biologically viable depths. The addition of more contour furrows will reduce sheet flow and moderating the roughness will allow a greater percentage of seed to germinate and provide ground cover that will also alleviate rilling and sediment control issues. As Coloywo transitions into areas of steeper slopes, density of cross ripping will be tightened to increase surface roughness and more contour furrows will be used to break up the slopes and minimize sheet flow conditions and reduce any concentration of flow from rain/snowmelt events. Seedbed preparation, other surface manipulation practices and seeding will be completed primarily during the fall months. Contour furrows, approximately 4-6 inches deep at the deepest point and 20-25 inches wide, which have been used on slope areas very successfully during the past several years, will be used to reduce erosion potential, conserve moisture, and maintain site stability until vegetation is sufficiently established. The size of the furrows may be increased if necessary to control erosion, and the distance between the furrows will vary, but will be approximately 10 to 75 feet along the slope. Small rock check dams may also be used where appropriate to aid in control of erosion both prior to seeding and if necessary, after an area has been seeded. Given recent changes to Federal legislation (30 C.F.R. §816.22(d)(1)(i)) as published in the Federal Register (August 30, 2006, - pages 51683 - 51706), mine operators are now allowed to use "non-uniform redistribution of topsoil in their reclamation plan to encourage plant diversity...." Furthermore, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife has requested Colowyo replace topsoil in a non- uniform manner as indicated by their statement: (see complete CPW letter in Section 4.15.8) "DWM Wangnild discussed the possibility of changing reclamation efforts in the new [South Taylor] permit area. Specific changes would ideally be focused on dramatically varying topsoil depths in an effort to mimic natural depths and thus provide more suitable environments for woody species establishment. One example of this would be to create some sites with extremely shallow topsoil designed at reducing grass stand establishment and their resulting competition with shrubs for water and soil nutrients. Another example would be to create other sites with extremely deep topsoil depths. These sites would ideally benefit woody species like aspen and chokecherry." Rule 2 Permits 2.05-28 Revision Date: 5/25/18 Revision No.: RN -07