2004-01-29_REVISION - M1987113 (2)

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CHURCH RANCH ROCKY PLATS PIT' M'7 9B7'7 7 3 TECHNICAL REVISION JANUARY 29, 2004 PAGE 2 the level of ground water. In the test wells the static water level averages 52 feet down from the surface. if water is exposed then the surface evaporation losses must be augmented for. We propose to avoid exposing ground water at this site unless or until the proper water permits are obtained to do so. To facili- tate this mining will be limited to the area 2 feet above the ground water elevation. As the mine floor begins to approach the depth of 50 feet we will dig small pits to establish the ground water level, when it is found the pit will be refilled and mining will end so there is 2 feet of cover. Because of the surface and bedrock slope in this area, nearly 40 feet from west to east, we expect to be able to mine deeper on the western side than on the east without exposing groundwater. Topsoil selvage 8~ replacement - In the existing plan topsoil was to be salvaged and stored in areas around the mine for use in reclamation. In particular it was to be used to build the sight berm we proposed along the south side of this mine. The possibil- ity was that some material would be retained in the berms to be left when reclamation was complete. We do not believe leaving a berm along the south side will be compatible with the intended final use, unless other arrangements are made with the landowners. No sight berm will be left along the south side of the mine, in- stead any material stored in it during mining will be removed and used for reclamation. instead of using 3#-pls of Western Wheatgrass as a temporary plant cover on topsoil piles we will use 3#-pls of Slender Wheatgrass, per II.S.F.W.S. recommendations. See copy of their plant list on the next page for seed mix revisions. Since this permit was originally prepared, we have found that the minable material contains a fairly large quantity of fine material that cannot be economically processed for sale. In general, 338 of the material is a clayey-loam that cannot to be easily screened to remove the intermixed rock. This material makes a good growth medium and is suitable for sloping material as it can be easily compacted when placed. In addition to the salvaged topsoil we will store this finer material for use as growth medium or sloping material. This will allow us to increase the resoiling depth from the 4 to 6 inches to 8 to 12 inches over the site. If bedrock is reached a root zone of 12 inches will be placed under the growth