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Environment, Inc. Page 2 <br /> Logan County- Barkley Pit M-2020-053 <br /> AdPgiiacW Recpnnca 01 <br /> 6.4.5 EXHIBIT E-Reclamation Plan <br /> 3. Rule 3.1.5(7) states that slopes shall be compatible with the selected land use.The final graded <br /> slopes of the pit walls are proposed to be 3h:ly. Is this slope configuration appropriate for <br /> cropland? <br /> We believe they are. While steeper then existing slopes, the land owner has not expressed any <br /> concerns with leaving them. We have use crop land as the final reclamation to leave the landowner <br /> flexibility for the end use. They may choose to grow grass or other another crop that can be used for <br /> livestock bedding and not as grain, in which case the 3h tol v slope will be easily traversed using normal <br /> farm equipment. <br /> Please clarify that this slope is compatible with the activities associated with cropland such as <br /> cultivating, seeding and harvesting. Will large farm equipment like combines, be able to operate on <br /> this slope? Is the landowner aware that this slope will remain through the middle of the field? <br /> While the 3h to 1V slopes may not be ideal there are many area where slopes at least this seeep are <br /> being farmed. The type of crop grown on this area may change for what has historically be planted but <br /> hat is up to the landowners. They are aware of and have approved the sloping plan so I can only assume <br /> they believe they can farm it successfully or utilize it for other crops that do not need combining. <br /> 4. The mining plan proposes to salvage and replace 6" of topsoil and no other material is needed <br /> prior to replacing the topsoil (page E-1). The rooting depth of the crops grown on the land prior to <br /> mining (millet and wheat, page D-1) ranges from 24"-36". Six inches of topsoil does not seem <br /> adequate to support the crops that were previously grown on this site. Please address the following <br /> concerns: <br /> The replacement soil depth of 6 inches for reclamation is all that is available and in many places there <br /> are bald spots where there is no soil covering. The Jeff Reeves explained to me that this is reason the <br /> area was chosen by the landowner,as these bare spots making it a marginal crop growing area. <br /> a.The material being mined will be used to maintain gravel roads in the area. So the final material <br /> of the pit floor will be the same material.When this material is compacted by farm machinery it will <br /> most likely become a hardpan that roots won't be able to penetrate.The Division believes subsoil <br /> will need to be replaced in the pit bottom. <br /> As noted above the underlaying material is currently exposed at the surface and is being farmed so <br /> the landowners tiling practices appear to work even if the growth is marginal in comparison with <br /> deep soil areas. There is no material on site to replace the subsoil making it suitable as root zone and <br /> material will not be hauled in from off site for this purpose. <br /> b. The depth of topsoil may be inadequate depending on the cultivation equipment and how deep <br /> cultivation is required to break up compaction. If cultivation is deeper than 6", the quality of the <br /> topsoil will quickly degrade as it is mixed with pit floor material. <br /> This is understood but that is what exists now. Logan County and the landowners believe they can <br /> reclaim the site to at least it present condition. Also having been farmed for many year and what <br /> topsoil exists has been tilled and blended with the underlaying gravel for many years so nothing will <br /> change after reclamation. <br /> 5. The floor of the pit will become a compacted hardpan during the mining process from equipment <br /> driving on it.The hardpan will prevent water percolation through the soil and can hinder crop root <br /> development. The Division suggests that the pit floor be ripped prior to any soil replacement. <br />