2020-02-07_PERMIT FILE - M2020007 (2)

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EXHIBIT J VEGETATION INFORMATION Introduction The permit area consists of mostly irrigated cropland so there is little native vegetation on the cultivated areas . Adjacent to the permit area along the South Platte River bottom, there are trees, brush and grasses . This area will not be disturbed as it is outside the Affected Lands/Permit area. The overall property ap- pears to have had a long history of agricultural use as irrigated cropland. The attached tables are from the USDA soil survey report and show the typical vegetation types for different soils found within and adjacent to the mine . Uncultivated Lands 1 . Current cover percent is : 45 to 65% 2 . Topsoil depth on site averages : 0 to 12 inches 3 . Seeding dates recommended: October 15 to May 1 . 4 . Fertilizer, if needed: Phosphate @ 40 lb/ac and nitrogen @ 40 lb/ac. 5 . Seed mix to be used the grassed areas : Non-Irrigated grass seed recommendation Species Lbs. PLS/Acre Western Wheatgrass (Aribba) 5.0 Big Bluestem (Champ) 2.5 Blue Grama (Hachita) 0.6 Switchgrass (Blackwell) 1.75 Total 9.85 This seed mix and rates have been used successfully on many L.G. Everist, Inc. mining sites in Weld County, and was originally prepared by the Platte Valley NRCS office . The seed will be drilled where possible and doubled if broadcast . The non-cropland areas have no special or unique characteristics, and consist mostly of a weedy-grass covering. Cultivated Lands The backfilled area will be vegetated with a grass seed mix or may return to their former use as cropland. The exact types of crops are not known at this time but will most likely be corn, win- ter wheat, cattle feed or alfalfa. When backfilling is complete, and the areas are released from the DRMS permit, the landowners will determine what will be planted on these areas . Vegetation Information The following vegetation types were observed and mapped on the site . L.G. Everist, Inc. Ragsdale Reservoirs 70 February 6,2020