2024-08-28_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (2)

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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-22 Revision Date: 8/21/24 Revision No.: MR-259 A variance from topsoil removal was requested and approved by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety for the following areas; construction of small structures such as power poles, signs or fence lines, areas of light traffic that do not destroy existing vegetation or cause erosion and areas where removal would result in needless damage to soil characteristics such as sediment control ditches and small water diversions. In most cases, especially on steep slopes, removal of topsoil prior to ditch construction needlessly damages large areas of topsoil, along with the adjacent natural vegetation. Implementation of the technique of cutting the ditches directly into the hillside without topsoil removal will limit needless topsoil disturbance, reduce unnecessary destruction of adjacent vegetation and will facilitate reclamation of the ditches at a future date. It should also be clarified that consistent with Map 6, Soils – South and Exhibit 9, Volume 19, there will be small areas of rock outcrop, rocky steep slopes, etc. where the topsoil depth is 0 inches. Where this occurs there will not be an attempt to recover topsoil or otherwise disturb the area before disturbance by mining. Colowyo does not plan to use overburden material for topsoil substitutes or as a supplement to topsoil. Colowyo will remove topsoil before any mining operations commence and always maintain a buffer zone between the area stripped of topsoil and the overburden drilling and blasting operations.. As depicted on the Topsoil Handling Map (Map 28 & 28C), the topsoil handling program will result in an orderly sequence for the continuous removal, storage or reapplication of topsoil. The redistribution of topsoil will be done at a time when the physical and chemical properties of the topsoil can be protected from alteration while minimizing the potential for erosion. Topsoil and vegetation matter is typically windrowed, sloped and seeded during initial sediment pond construction and saved for reapplication when the pond is reclaimed at at future date. The pond embankments are constructed utilizing in-place materials directly below the upper topsoil zone. This colluvial material is “topsoil” in nature and will be utilized at a future date for pond reclamation. Since the nature of the embankment material functions readily as a topsoil material, it is not anticpated that additional topsoil will be required for final reclamation of the site. However, if necessary, Colowyo will apply an appropriate amount of topsoil to pond embankments that do not readily revegetate post construction. 4.06.3 Storage The estimated quantity of topsoil in stockpile is found in Table 2.05-1, Topsoil Balance As Of October, 2005, and in Section 11 of the Annual Reclamation Report. Topsoil stockpiles exist for support facilities and the mining area. All of the existing or proposed stockpiles result where immediate redistribution will not be practical, either because redistribution areas are not available at the time of topsoil removal, or because more topsoil is being removed than what will be necessary for immediate redistribution. Any additional stockpiles may be placed on flat spoil backfill areas or stable portions of the permit area where stockpiles will be protected from external effects of both wind and water erosion. Stockpiles have also been placed to avoid disturbances other than those incidental to their deposition and removal.