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James and Yvette Downing—Adequacy Review—M-2019-055 <br /> February 26,2020 <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br /> committed to salvaging 4-6 inches of topsoil.The thickness of overburden is the maximum depth of the <br /> excavation up to the salvaged topsoil.For your reference,if you are proposing to salvage approximately 6 <br /> inches of topsoil and the maximum depth of the excavation is 10 feet,your thickness of overburden is 9.5 <br /> feet.Please specify the thickness of topsoil which will be salvaged from disturbed lands and will be replaced <br /> during reclamation.Please also specify the thickness of overburden which will need to be moved after the <br /> topsoil is salvaged and then backfilled prior to replacement of topsoil. <br /> 5. The Mine Plan states the Operator will make an ATV trail from the parking area to the dig site and the Mine <br /> Plan Map shows this 550 feet long ATV trail on the east side of the permit.After discussions with the <br /> USFS,the Division understands that your USFS NOI does not allow overland travel of equipment off of <br /> designated trails and roads and you will either need to walk to your operation or get a USFS MPO.Please <br /> commit to obtaining the appropriate USFS authorization if you intend to overland equipment to your <br /> operation. <br /> 6. The Mine Plan identifies the type of operation as both a surface operation and an underground operation.As <br /> discussed and addressed on the application form during the deficiency review,please confirm this is only a <br /> surface mine operation. <br /> 7. Within the cost estimate of the submitted Mine Plan,403 cubic yards have been identified as needing to be <br /> backfilled.The Division uses information provided in the proposed mining and reclamation plans to <br /> calculate a reclamation cost estimate for the"worse-case"disturbance at any one time.Please commit to <br /> limiting the size of the excavation(s)at any one time to need no more than 403 cubic yards backfilled or <br /> provide a different amount so the Division determine the maximum amount of material needing to be <br /> backfilled within the reclamation cost estimate.For your reference,using a depth of 10 feet for the <br /> excavation,an area approximately 33 feet by 33 feet will yield 403 cubic yards. <br /> 8. The Division has calculated the total required financial warranty for the site to be$2,300.00.A copy of the <br /> reclamation cost summary is attached for the Applicant's review.The USFS has been provided a copy of <br /> this estimate to review it for sufficiency.Please note,the USFS may require an additional bond to be posted <br /> with their agency to cover any reclamation tasks outside of jurisdiction of the Division.At this time,upon <br /> approval of the application,the required financial warranty for the proposed operation will be set at <br /> $2,300.00;please contact me prior to the decision date to discuss any questions regarding the cost estimate <br /> or if you identify any errors with this calculation. <br /> EXHIBIT D—Reclamation Plan(Rule 63.4) <br /> 9. The Reclamation Plan identifies the final grade of slopes will be 1 H:I V.As the Division understands,you <br /> are proposing to return the affected lands to the approximate pre-mine topography.Please verify the current <br /> slope as the Division believes I H:I V is much steeper than the existing slope.The Division typically <br /> approves the slopes at no steeper than 31-1:1 V as this slope is stable and typically doesn't erode,however <br /> Applicants may propose a reclaimed slopes to be as steep as 2H:1 V if appropriate erosion control measure <br /> are in place.Please revise the final grade of slopes.In Accordance with 3.1.6(3),if the Applicant proposes <br /> final slopes steeper than 3H:1 V,please provide how the slope will be appropriately protected to effectively <br /> control erosion(i.e.catchment berms,silt fences,straw wattles,utilizing downed timber and slash,etc.). <br /> 10. The Applicant proposes to plant sampling pine trees on the reclaimed lands.Please provide the size,type, <br /> and quantity of trees to be planted.Please note,in the draft reclamation cost estimate discussed in Adequacy <br /> Item#8,the Division used 10 Cu.In.sized ponderosa pine tublings planted as 25 trees per acre. <br />