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MMRR Cluarry, M-2004-067 <br />Response to Jan. 21 Adequacy Review <br />March 23, 2005 <br />Page 12 <br />principle, it should not be necessary to create a plant growth medium <br />deeper or more enriched than the existing condition to reclaim the site to <br />its native state as wildlife habitat. However, the applicant understands <br />that topsoil recovery will be difficult and the reestablishment of plant cover <br />a priority, and the applicant will therefore commit to importing 6,700 cubic <br />yards of suitable plant growth medium (e.g., topsoil) to the site for the <br />purposes of bonding. Based on practices described in the reclamation <br />plan, such as treatment of fines with organic and inorganic amendments, it <br />may be possible to generate plant growth medium from on-site resources <br />and, in doing so, reduce the overall need for imported material. <br />The submitted MMRR Quarry application conforms to Construction <br />Materials Rule 6.4.5(1). On page 13 of the document, the applicant <br />commits to a range of 2 to 4 inches of topsoil replacement, consistent with <br />the flexibility encouraged by Rule 6.4.5(1). This range of depth for plant <br />growth medium applies to all disturbed areas subject to reclamation (e.g., <br />39.95 acres of surface area) and includes both highwall benches and the <br />waste rock pile. <br />Re-vegetation Plan. The applicant will include the following notes on <br />revised Exhibit F, which will also address the adequacy comments under <br />Exhibit E related to revegetation: <br />Reclamation Intent. The intent of this Reclamation Plan is <br />to return the MMRR Quarry site to apost-mining condition as <br />wildlife habitat. Replacement of a plant growth medium and <br />species selection is based on the objective of emulating or <br />improving upon the general condition of the site vicinity as <br />wildlife habitat. <br />Permanent Seed Mix. The permanent seed mix, including <br />fortis and legumes, on this Reclamation Plan Map will be <br />implemented in all areas disturbed by mining activity. <br />Method of Seeding. To provide a ready cover of mulch, <br />hydroseeding will be used to the extent possible. <br />Hydroseeding equipment will be given access to reclaimed <br />mine bench areas, but in case equipment is not able to <br />effectively hydroseed all areas, hand broadcasting will be an <br />acceptable means of placing seed. <br />Trees and Shrubs. Trees and shrubs will be located on the <br />site in a random fashion and concentrated or not present in <br />areas based on slope aspect and relative topographic <br />