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GBEA 11 <br /> 7.The Division acknowledges the lack of topsoil and overburden due to historical mining at the site.What is the <br /> minimum amount of overburden the operator commits to replacing site wide come final reclamation? <br /> Alternatively,if thickness will vary over the site please explain. Rule 6.3.4(1)(a) <br /> Given that the pit is divided by exposure, slope, soil classification, plant species community <br /> composition,the limited availability of soil and overburden, usage, plus incremental reclamation, a site <br /> wide prescription would not provide an optimum outcome. <br /> As previously noted,the soil availability on the north slope of the pit (hill),the soil type, and the mined <br /> product, is substantially different from the south slope. Soil on the north slope of the hill is estimated <br /> to be salvageable to 8 inches in some areas with other areas considerably less. When walking the <br /> north slope there are areas of limited top soil with considerable gravels on the surface. If the soil <br /> depth is averaged over the whole north slope, four inches is the depth of replacement. As previously <br /> stated, caution is advised during salvage due to the variability. There is no overburden as such on the <br /> north slope, the limestone cobbles are mixed in the soil and subsoil. Therefore, the top soil will be <br /> placed over the undisturbed or graded sub-soil. <br /> The south and east flats below the hill are not to be mined and the existing soil remains in place. The <br /> north flat is not to be mined and will remain relatively undisturbed. Thus, no soil or overburden will be <br /> salvaged or redistributed. The south and east flats are covered with a vigorous stand of western <br /> wheatgrass (sod forming)and it is highly resistant to disturbance and recovers readily. <br /> The south facing slope of the hill with the High Knob and High Wall are problematic. Soil and <br /> overburden are limited with considerable areas of exposed bedrock on the benches. There is not <br /> enough soil to cover the area sufficiently nor is there potentially enough overburden to cover the <br /> bedrock. Thus, the southeast corner of the largest bench may never be reclaimed. This area is shown <br /> on the Reclamation Map (Exhibit E) and is 0.5 acres. The rest of the hill to the west of the bed rock <br /> should have 10 inches of overburden and three inches of very poor top soil. <br /> Wagner Pit#M2023038, Owner&Operator:Twin Buttes Land Co LLC <br /> Wednesday, May 29, 2024 <br />