2023-01-09_REVISION - M2021052 (29)

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iH( Scott -- Rjtlr _-)rave, F-,, A l h,!,-av 2)2» area. Prior to bond release, Scott will conduct a noxious weed inventory and bond release reports developed by third parties for submittal to DRMS and Garfield County. Mr. Steve Anthony, Garfield County Vegetation Manager, provided the following comments regarding the project: "The Weed Management Plan needs to provide more details on noxious weed management during mining activities." In response to this comment Scott updated the Weed Management Plan to include language that addresses the treatment of all noxious weeds on a biannual basis, treatment of gravel storage piles with bare ground herbicide, and implementation of additional best management practices. 2.12.9 Reclamation Plan Schedule The reclamation process will proceed contemporaneously with the development of the mine: • The perimeter berms will receive reclamation seeding as soon as practical after they are constructed. • The wetland slope reclamation area will be constructed around the perimeter of the pond as the pond expands, and the constructed acreage will be seeded/planted on an annual basis during the appropriate planting season (typically late fall). • The operations area will be reclaimed at the conclusion of mining activities. 2.12.10 Previously Disturbed/Unnecessary Areas Reclamation of unnecessary mine components (e.g., previously used areas which no longer will provide productive aggregate extraction)will be reclaimed on a rolling basis as extraction is completed. For any given portion of the reclamation area, the reclamation process is anticipated to take up to a year for grading, topsoil redistribution, and planting. Several years will be required for reclamation species germination, establishment, and weed control to achieve reclamation targets. 2.12.11 Active Mining Areas No separate interim reclamation is proposed for active mining areas. Areas where aggregate extraction is ongoing will consist either of the open water of the pond, or the stabilized working surface where the excavator and dump trucks store and load gravel for transport to the processing facility on the operations pad. Dust suppression measures will be used in the active mining areas, but no revegetation is proposed. 2.12.12 Monitoring Reclamation Success Continued monitoring of the reclamation will ensure its success. The operator plans to use the local NRCS office and Garfield County to determine the capacity of the reclaimed land to control erosion. If minor changes or modifications are needed to the seeding and reclamation plan, revision plans will be submitted to the County. It is hoped that the County will aid in evaluating the success of the ongoing reclamation process. 2-26