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<br />Ponds The berms for the ponds will be designed in accordance with Bureau of <br />Reclamation Design of Small Dams criteria. The berms will be approximately 10 feet <br />high and will have outside side slopes of approximately 3:1. The ponds will remain in <br />place throughout the life of the project and will be reclaimed at the end of the mining <br />life. Due to the shallow side slopes of the berm, slope stability is not considered to be a <br />significant concern. However, slopes will be vegetated as appropriate to promote <br />stability. More information on the ponds is given in Exhibit D, Section D.2.4. <br />Drill Pads Drill pads will be constructed as described in Exhibit D, Section D.2.1. <br />Side slopes will vary from pad to pad depending on the existing topography and the <br />type of soils present. In general, steeper cut slopes will be used where appropriate to <br />minimize the total disturbed area but will not be used where soils are overly unstable. <br />The maximum angle for cut side slopes will be approximately 60 degrees, which <br />American Soda has used successfully in the construction of the Experimental Test Mine <br />drill pads. The approximate angle for fill side slopes will be 26 degrees, which is not <br />anticipated to require stabilization. <br />Before a drill pad is constructed, concentrated flow structures such as berms, ditches, <br />and terraces will be constructed as necessary to reroute any intermittent surface flows <br />that may exist in the area of the pad. Ephemeral channels would also be diverted if <br />necessary. This rerouting of surface flows will help ensure drill pad slope stability. <br />Drill pads will undergo interim stabilization after wells are retired. Interim stabilization <br />will prevent erosion until final reclamation of the panel can be performed and may <br />include seeding and/or mulching. Interim stabilization and reclamation information <br />for drill pads is provided in Exhibit E and in the enclosed Reclamation Plan. <br />Roads Cut and fill side slopes for roads will vary depending on the existing <br />surface topography, the surface soils, and the presence of surface water bodies. Section <br />8 of the enclosed Reclamation Plan includes figures that illustrate the typical side slope <br />angles and other attributes. Steeper cut slopes (approximately 60 degrees maximum) <br />will be used in areas with rocky substrates to minimize disturbed surface area. <br />Roads will be designed with adequate crowning or sloping to promote drainage off the <br />road surface. Erosion and sediment control measures will be used to further convey <br />runoff away from the road structure. Where appropriate, runoff will be directed into <br />existing drainage channels, as described in the enclosed Reclamation Plan. In areas <br />where roads will cross intermittent drainage channels, either culverts or low water <br />crossings will be constructed with durable road surface materials. <br />Temporary well access roads will undergo interim stabilization after they are no longer <br />needed to access a future well and before the mining panel is reclaimed. Interim <br />stabilization may include ripping, seeding, and mulching and will generally be in place <br />for only a few years. Other roads that will have a longer service life, such as the main <br />U-2 <br />