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As stated above, the topsoil stockpiles will be seeded with western whea[grass at 7 PLS; this will help to keep topsoil stockpiles stable and prevent erosion. As stated in this application, the first topsoil stripped will be saved for use on the final dry land pond margins, and that the topsoil for each new cell will be used to cover the pond margins on the ponds that are bing reclaimed. Therefore, the operator will always have enough topsoil to prepare a grass seed bed on the pond banks to the normal high water levels. We are aware of the associated costs of this reclamation plan as stated, and have anticipated those costs in our calculations in Exhibit "L". Reclamation will be an ongoing process throughout the life of the mine. The timetable is just an educated guess and not meant to be a limiting factor for this tnine plan. As stated previously, mining will start in the #1 Cell (pond) first and will proceed to [he numbered cells in normal progression. To clarify, more than one pond might be open at any one time. This does not mean, however, that reclamation will not start as soon as possible. The topsoil stripped on the second pond will be placed on the previous po~td's banks as an ongoing process to facilitate seeding. This is to be done as not to exceed [he amount of disturbed area and keep the bond amount constant. The "Non-Mining" buffer shown on the Mining Plan Map does show the 200-foot buffer zone crossing the permit area in the south central portion of the permit area. This is an area never to be mined for product, and will only be used to cross from the active mining area to the staging area (load-out and stockpiling). We aze working closely with all of the aftected parties on mitigating the damage to the natural gas pipeline, and the overhead power line. At the time of this application, Public Service of Colorado, now Xcel Energy, has been notified and we are working closely with them to develop plans on [his crossing. Any rail spur construction will be conducted with the prior approval of the San Luis Central Railroad. The permit area does not encroach into their easement. The Fish Ditch is owned by the surface landowners, Mario and Josephine Bassi, and they have stated that the Fish Ditch will remain in its present location and any traffic crossing will be constructed as not to interfere with the flow of the ditch water. All other existing ranch roads will remain intact and any crossings of flowing water will have appropriate culverts. The Rio Grande County Commissioners have approved the plan for the rail spur for shipment of construction aggregate, and the possibility of any crops or livestock shipped via rail. The area reserved for crushing, screening and washing aggregate is an area approximately 330feet by 660 feet, or 5 acres, in the central part of the mining area. This will be sufficient space. The bulk of the processed material will be hauled to the load-out and storage area to the east. The entire