Laserfiche WebLink
Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment <br /> Royal Gorge Field Office DOI-BLM-CO-F020-2020-0036 EA <br /> RECLAMATION <br /> A reclamation plan was previously approved by CDRMS and Custer county for the existing <br /> quarry operation and similar reclamation objectives would be analyzed and applied to all BLM <br /> parcels within the proposed project boundary. The reclamation plan would provide BLM, <br /> CDRMS and other applicable agencies a guideline for interim and final reclamation <br /> requirements. Final reclamation would be determined complete once conditions in the <br /> reclamation plan have been met and, as applicable, the BLM reclamation standards provided in <br /> Appendix C. All reclamation would be projected to occur within the first two years with routine <br /> monitoring to continue for a minimum of 4 years. <br /> Structure Removal <br /> All BLM lands would be returned to rangelands, similar to the surrounding area. Structures that <br /> are related to the mining operation would be removed within the first 2 years of reclamation; <br /> however,the private landowner,which is the operator, may choose to retain other structures <br /> (e.g.,all-purpose metal building) for use on the privately-owned portion of the site. The operator <br /> would ensure that such structures remain in compliance with the Custer County land use plan. <br /> Since the access road is also positioned on private lands and the private landowner is the <br /> operator,this feature would remain permanent,post final reclamation. <br /> Re-grade and Re-contour <br /> Any remaining product stockpiles would be removed and hauled offsite prior to initiating <br /> reclamation. All stormwater controls and overburden storage areas would be excavated and used <br /> as backfill for lower elevation areas (e.g., sediment pond, drainage, etc.). The stored topsoil <br /> would then be spread approximately 3 to 6 inches and the site ripped and regraded to slopes no <br /> greater than 2:1. All regrading and recontouring would occur within the first year of final <br /> reclamation. The material would be mined as such that the highwall and bench slopes would be <br /> stable for the long-term at a 1:1 final slope; therefore, no additional grading, slope reduction, or <br /> backfilling would be necessary for these features. The operator proposes to monitor erosion, <br /> noxious weeds, and regrowth progress twice per year. The operator would remedy any <br /> inadequate reclamation requirements, as needed. <br /> Revegetation <br /> 2.1.1. All disturbed areas would be ripped to a depth of 6 to 8 inches to <br /> emulsify the topsoil and overburden materials. The site would be re- <br /> seeded with a seed mixture containing 60% Western Wheat, 20% <br /> Little Bluestem and 20%Arizona Fescue (Exhibit D, Appendix Q, <br /> which would replicate the pre-existing and surrounding native <br /> vegetative species. This seed mixture is based on drilled rates of to <br /> '/2 inch depths. Revegetation application would be followed and <br /> 14 <br />