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The soils though are undoubtedly worth hauling down into the pit area for topdressing on <br /> overburden layers on top of the gravels where the overburden is of lower quality. This soil can also be <br /> used on west facing slopes as a topsoil layer a few inches thick that would improve these slopes that <br /> are difficult to revegetate even with a 3:1 slope. <br /> In conclusion to this new section,much of this area could be reclaimed,perhaps 1/4 to 1/3 <br /> could potentially be left as is and be considered reclaimed,but the highest quality material could be <br /> hauled to another location near where it would be available for difficult locations. But a thorough and <br /> critical investigation of the entire area should be done prior to doing anything. It is proposed that this <br /> study be done and decisions made by February 2023. If changes are needed then an additional <br /> technical revision could be provided at that time. This period allows for examination of the area at <br /> different seasons. <br /> Final Configuration of the South End <br /> The southern end of the mining area, as described previously, is highly dissected by erosion <br /> that has been produced by runoff from the gently south sloping platform of the gravel deposit to the <br /> north. In the bottom of some of the erosion channels gravel is evident and so it is assumed that gravel <br /> composes at least the deeper portions of the uneroded fingers. But most of the fingers are probably <br /> composed of the clayey- silty loam of the overburden. In places shrubs grow down in the valleys <br /> between the fingers and are probably getting water from the gravel layer that carries groundwater <br /> southward in perched aquifers from the pit. Ultimately, surface runoff drains down the eroded valleys <br /> and washes to the south into the stream valley and it appears to carry a moderate amount of sediment <br /> to the south. That is a natural condition. But if mining is done in this area then at least some of the <br /> subsequent erosion is likely due to mining and therefore it all becomes subject to reclamation <br /> requirements. <br /> The mining in this area will be done with careful consideration as to how much gravel actually <br /> remains here after considering all the erosion that has occurred to produce these areas. It appears the <br /> now reclaimed Broderick and Gibbons operation immediately east of this area did not do much <br /> mining in this zone that also existed on that property. The plan on this site is to try to stay above the <br /> 5600'elevation which is about 20 to 25 feet higher than the south permit boundary elevation. It is not <br /> known if that is achievable. If not then the mining will stop north of that elevation. <br /> Fountain Pit Technical Revision#3 - June 2022 M-1982-155 Reclamation Plan Page 14 of 23 <br />