2019-09-16_REVISION - M1994117 (2)

Home Browse Search

A sprinkler irrigation system may be used to avoid dehydration of the seedbeds during each of the grass seed germination periods. Some additional fertilizer will also be applied during the first two or three years following the revegetation of each part of the tailings retention structure. When these fertilizer treatments are discontinued after the vegetation has been effectively established, it is expected that the native grasses will successfully compete with the introduced grass species. Voluntary revegetation is also expected to occur as native seeds from adjacent forest areas germinate and grow in the improved soil of the reclaimed tailings impoundment area. In order to create a diverse community on the reclaimed tailings retention structure,the fourth and final phase of the revegetation plan will involve transplanting indigenous trees and shrubs onto the surface of the former tailings pond.This last part of the revegetation program will be started during the third or fourth year after the cessation of tailings deposition. Between 20 and 30 Ponderosa pine and Engelmann spruce trees ranging in height from 2 to 4 feet will be planted in specially prepared soil in scattered locations on the restored tailings pond. Serviceberry, Common Gooseberry,Kinnikinnick and Common Juniper shrubs will be planted at irregular intervals among the transplanted trees. These secondary species will encourage voluntary revegetation, and they will enhance the potential for wildlife habitation on this site. The only area where no vegetation will be established on the tailings retention structure is on the upper portion of the tailings pond, where the pond was excavated in solid Boulder Creek granite. This slope is too steep to support any soil or the establishment of any vegetation and no attempt to revegetate this relatively small portion of the Gold Hill Mill's tailings pond will be attempted. CMC has also included the approved Reclamation Plan for the Gold Hill Millsite to this Response Letter. It is shown below as Exhibit B. EXHIBIT B RECLAMATION PLAN FOR THE GOLD HILL MILLSITE The Reclamation Plan for the Gold Hill Millsite was approved when the Cash Mine Permit No. M-1983-141 was Amended to include the Gold Hill Millsite and Tailings Impoundment Area.This Permit Amendment was approved by the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board on September 25, 1985. When the Gold Hill Mill was constructed,the area that has become the Cash Mine Dump Stockpile was cleared of all of the native trees and shrubs that were growing in this location. Because this 12