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6.4.5 EXHIBIT E -Reclamation Plan <br />Reclamation will be implemented in conjunction with the mining operation. During the <br />development of Phase I and Phase II of this pi[, excess cover material will be stored in a fill at the <br />northwest corner of the Phase II pit disturbance. This material will be used for the final <br />reclamation of the Phase III pit area. Neaz the end of each Phase of the operation, soils will be <br />stripped from the next phase to complete the final reclamation of the current Phase and provide an <br />azea for portable facilities for the next phase. The area of disturbance in the succeeding Phase will <br />be approximately 6.2 acres. <br />After this initial development, any available cover material can be trucked directly from its <br />removal site and placed graded directly onto the mining bench. This small scale "truck and <br />shovel" operation can then maintain contemporaneous reclamation. As a phase nears completion, <br />cover material will be removed from the next Phase to complete the covering operation of the <br />reclaimed pit. At the end of the life of the operation, the material stored in the fill slope <br />mentioned above will be used for final reclamation of the Phase III area. Refer to Exhibit P - <br />Reclama[ion Plan for reclamation sequence. <br />The permit boundary includes 154 acres, more or less. Of the total acres included within the <br />permit boundary, only 72.5 acres will be disturbed. The pit projections allow 200 foot buffer <br />zones along the northem and eastern perimeters of the Phase II pit, the northem and western <br />perimeters of the Phase III pit to insure the safety of the county road, Gurley Ditch and four <br />headgates located on the Gurley Ditch. <br />To the extent possible, existing trees including dead cottonwoods, will be left standing. Trees and <br />low brush along the canal and the county road will remain in the buffer zones. These trees and <br />shrubs will shield the operation from the public during operation and provide excellent habitat for <br />bald eagles and other species of wildlife after reclamation. <br />Soil horizons, if any, will not be segregated. As a stabilization measure, any topsoil which is to be <br />stockpiled longer than about one growing season will be broadcast seeded with a perennial sod- <br />forming grass cover such as Western Whea[grass at a typical rate of 20 pounds of pure live seed <br />per acre. Topsoil salvaged during operations will be used for replacement on disturbed azeas. To <br />the extent possible, the operator will attempt to remove 3" plus material from the cover material <br />as it is placed on the disturbed areas by "rock picking." <br />The pit slopes will be finished at a slope of 2.SH:1V or flatter. These slopes are not conducive to <br />irrigation of any type. Vegetation on the slopes will be considered dry land and will derive <br />moisture only from rain and snowfall. Therefore, pit slopes will be classified as rangeland and <br />wildlife habitat. Pit floors can be irrigated so the relatively flat areas are classified as irrigated <br />land. <br />In order to enhance the wildlife habitat on the pit slopes, two shrub species will be added to the <br />seed mix for placement on the pit slopes as shown below. <br />The 2.SH:1 V side slopes as opposed to [he previously approved 4H:1 V slopes increase the azea of <br />the relatively flat pit floor that can be irrigated. Approximately 45-feet of additional pit floor is <br />developed azound the perimeter of the pits. This equates to roughly an additional 10 acres of <br />relatively flat pit floor that can be irrigated land. <br />E-1 <br />