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<br />SMUGGLER MME SITE <br /> <br />s "~ EXHIBIT D <br />vegetation achieved than when no soil is used. As little as three to four inches of soil makes a <br />significant difference in the quality of vegetation, and the relative benefit of additional soil depth is <br />a diminishing return. Theoretically, better vegetation would be produced if 18 inches rather than 6 <br />inches of soil were used in an ecosystem such as that at Smuggler Mine, but the difference in <br />vegetative quality would be difficult to measure. <br />If future mining on the Smuggler Mine Site proceeds into presently undisturbed ground, <br />native soil will be salvaged from that land to a minimum depth of one foot. Salvaged soil will be <br />stockpiled on site for future use in reclamation and salvaged soil stockpile(s) will be located separate <br />from other stockpiles out of drainage ways and out of the way of mine related disturbances. <br />Salvaged soil stockpiles will be revegetated temporarily to minimize loss due to wind and water <br />erosion. No salvaged soil stockpiles aze shown on Application Exhibit E, the Mining/Reclamation <br />Map, because the anticipated amount of additional disturbance is minimal and the timing for <br />expansion to presently undisturbed areas within the permit boundary is distant and uncertain. <br />The Company realizes the importance of soil to the success of revegetation. As indicated, <br />there is no on-site soil available to reclaim the presently disturbed azea. Therefore, the Company will <br />obtain sufficient soil to cover the existing disturbed area to a depth of six inches. That depth of soil <br />will provide quality vegetation. <br />The soil will be of an equivalent or better quality to that which presently exists in the <br />undisturbed areas of the permit. As discussed in Section B-3.0, the native soils are not quality <br />topsoils. The existing soils are rocky glacial, alluvial, and colluvial derived soils. If, for example, <br />at the time of reclamation, glacial till subsoil can be obtained, but is not of the same quality as the <br />native soils in the permit area, five inches of till might be amended with one inch of topsoil to effect <br />a quality equivalent to the existing undisturbed soils on site. Alternatively, a glacial till material <br />might be amended with compost such as that being produced by Pitkin Counry. <br />D-4.3 Revegetation <br />Revegetation to Wildlife Habitat will be initiated as quickly as practical afrer regrading. <br />Revegetation as described below will stabilize the growth medium and provide a permanent, self- <br />sustaining vegetative community within two to three years. The resulting vegetation will be <br />appropriate for use by wildlife and will provide for natural invasion and succession through time. <br />The aspect of the site is generally west-southwest, and the seed mix (TABLE 2) was selected <br />for this aspect, slope, ecosystem and post-mining land use. <br />All but two of the species in the mix are natives. The value of Alsike clover is its soil <br />building properties. During its longevity, the clover will fix nitrogen and accelerate the re- <br />establishment of the nutrient cycle in the soil. The fescues are included in the mix because both are <br />adapted to this ecosystem and some of the leaves remain green through the winter months for <br />wildlife. The wheatgrass, ricegrass, and needlegrass are common to the surrounding area and <br />26 - SMUGGLER MINE SITE <br />