2021-12-29_PERMIT FILE - M2021009 (9)

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35. Please describe how quarry highwalls will continue to be accessed after initial reclamation for maintenance (e.g., erosion repair, weed control) and/or additional revegetation efforts. Will any ramps remain along quarry highwalls? Please be sure to show the approximate location of any remaining roads or ramps on the Exhibit F reclamation plan map(s). Quarry slopes will be reclaimed to a 2.OH:1.OV slope and will be mild enough for tracked heavy equipment to traverse all reclamation slopes-excepting intentionally spared cliffs to honor the current mixed sloped and cliffy terrain. Any unanticipated post-reclamation slope maintenance will be completed by small tracked equipment, as needed. It should be noted, that following grading and reclamation to a 2.OH:1.OV slope, slopes can no longer be considered 'highwalls'. 36. Please describe how the waste rock landform will continue to be accessed after initial reclamation for maintenance (e.g., erosion repair, weed control) and/or additional revegetation efforts. Please be sure to show the approximate location of any remaining roads or ramps on the Exhibit F reclamation plan map(s). Please see the response to Division question #30 above. 37. On page E-1, the application states that "sporadic placement of 25-foot benches of intentional roughened faces, slopes, and cliff bands will be left to resemble a natural cliff face". On page E-2, the application further states "resultant mined faces will be -10% cliff face with 90% of each bench backfilled to a 2H:1 V slope with waste material". Please provide additional details on the proposed cliff faces to remain after reclamation. This might include providing a conceptual design of the proposed quarry highwall reclamation, depicting the proposed 90% backfilled slopes and the 10% cliff faces. Additionally, please explain how the proposed reclamation plan for quarry highwalls is consistent with the post-mining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat. Please see Figure 2 in the revised permit narrative that details current on-site cliff faces. Sporadically placed 25-foot `bench height' intentional roughened faces, slopes and/or cliff bands will provide additional desired habitat for local ungulates that desire such cliff faces for protection from the elements and from predators. The Young Ranch Resource also feels it is an important visual element of the reclamation plan to include cliff bands similar to those that naturally occur in the area. Please refer to the Wildlife Mitigation Plan included in Appendix 2 for additional details on current wildlife habitat and patterns across the site. 38. On page E-2, the application states "topsoil and overburden are absent from the site; however, as the mined phases will be mixed intentionally roughened bedrock surfaces and backfilled to 2H:1 V slopes, replacement of topsoil and true overburden will not be necessary"and "backfilling will be completed with crushed rock, boulders and potentially waste fines". On page E-3, the application further states "WRL lifts and mining benches will be capped with coarse blasted rock to encourage volunteer vegetation and provide microclimates for seed germinate prior to hydroseeding and protection for tree tubelings to establish". Firstly, please modify the first statement as the application states at least some salvageable topsoil is available on site. Secondly, please clarify whether quarry highwalls will be backfilled to 2H:1 V with crushed rock, boulders, and potentially waste fines, and then capped with coarse blasted rock. Thirdly, please provide an estimated depth of placement for the coarse blasted rock cap on quarry walls and on waste rock landform lifts. Lastly, please explain how the proposed backfill material will create a December 2021 12 E Lewicki& Associates