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

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each lift be "capped"and seeded soon after it has been graded to its reclamation configuration, or will this be done later during operations? On-contour single shank ripping will be completed following WRL final 2.2H:1.OV slope grading and prior to placing coarse blasted rock. Following grading, ripping, and rock mulch application, tree tubeling planting and broadcast seeding will occur. Seeding and tubeling planting will occur at the first possible time pending the completion of slope grading and coarse blasted rock placement AND at the appropriate time of year such as in the spring or fall. Slope grading, ripping, and seeding will occur in tandem with further WRL development such that the WRL experiences concurrent reclamation. 41. On page E-3, the application states "in the flat areas (if phase 4 and 5 mining does not occur) and the processing area at the end of the mine's life, plant growth medium (previously stored in onsite berms) will be placed on all surfaces to enhance the natural condition of the site (up to 2 to 6 inches plant growth medium)"and "plant growth medium may be recovered from onsite berms or by suitable amendment of late-phase mining fines". Firstly, please describe the areas where salvageable topsoil is expected to be present and provide an estimated volume of topsoil available on site. Secondly, please specify the "flat areas"to receive 2-6 inches of topsoil placement. Does this include the tops of the waste rock landforms, the pit floors, and the initial processing area? Thirdly, please clarify which portions of the affected lands would receive topsoil replacement and which areas would receive only a coarse blasted rock cap, including estimated acreages for each. Is the applicant proposing to place topsoil only on flat surfaces and the rock cap only on backfilled quarry highwalls and waste rock landform slopes?Lastly, please explain how replacing only 2-6 inches of topsoil will be sufficient to achieve successful revegetation at the site. Based on the Division's experience, a topsoil replacement depth of less than 6 inches is typically not sufficient to achieve successful revegetation. Flat areas are shown on map F-1 as revegetated with rangeland grasses. Remaining plant growth medium and suitably amended late-phase mining fines, as needed, will be spread across the final flat surfaces of phases 4 and 5 as well as the flat tops of the WRL prior to rangeland grass seeding. True topsoil is not available at the site, please refer to the responses to Division questions 15, 20, and 38 for additional discussion on plant growth medium. Coarse blasted rock/rock mulch will be used on all sloped areas whether within the quarry or on the WRL slopes. As the Applicant is only bonding for phase 1 at this time, discussion on final phase reclamation is not timely. 42. On page E-3, the application states a wood straw mulch may be applied to seeded surfaces. Please state whether this mulch will be used or not, and if so, specify the application method and application rate per acre. Wood straw mulch created from native trees removed in advance of mining will be used, as needed, to further stabilize reclamation slopes and provide additional micro-climate habitat for seed germination. For bonding purposes, please consider a rate of 1 ton of wood straw mulch needed for every 2 acres. 43. The application provides three reclamation seed mixtures in Table 3.1 (Native Forest Shrub seed mix), Table 3.2 (Tree Tubelings), and Table 3.3 (Native Dry Rangeland seed mix). Firstly, please describe the areas to receive each of the proposed seed mixtures, December 2021 14 a Lewicki& Associates