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Exhibit Page 18 <br />Earth dams (3.1.6.(2)) <br />All post-reclamation basins are incised. If needed to better control drainage, some berms may be left to assist in <br />diverting drainage as desired, but will not be designed to impound water. No earthen dams are proposed for <br />post-reclamation. <br />Erosion control (3.1.8.(3)) <br />All surfaces will kept to the minimum possible slope and will be stabilized and protected to control erosion. <br />Stockpiles of soil and excess fines will be seeded (temporary seed mix) to stabilize the stockpiles against wind <br />and water erosion. Stockpiles will also be protected as necessary against erosion and traffic, and weed <br />invasion. (See Exhibit J for seeding data, Exhibit D for stockpile information.) Temporary erosion controls which <br />do not revert to a suitable condition by natural processes shall be removed. <br />Groundwater (3.1.7.} <br />The Applicant shall comply with all applicable statewide and classified standards, based on existing and <br />reasonably potential future uses, and with new standards which maybe applicable in the future. (See Exhibit <br />G.) Based on information from other operations in the area with similar conditions, the operation is designed to <br />have no reasonable potential to adversely impact groundwater quality or quantity, or cause any further lowering <br />of quality. The Applicant will comply with any conditions as established by permits. <br />Wildlife safety and protection (3.1.8.(1)) <br />Wildlife issues are addressed at length in Exhibit H. Although mining operations will occupy an area of about 1- <br />1/4rnile wide and up to Y~ mile deep, the entire area will not be disturbed at once, so that routes for migration <br />will be open. (Wildlife has adapted readily to the mining operations conducted for the past 16 years at this <br />location.) Benns will assist in deterring wildlife and livestock from nearing the top of highwalls, and temporary <br />fencing will be used to reduce potential for livestock and wildlife to graze on areas under reclamation. Traffic <br />speeds will be enforced to reduce potential vehicle-animal accidents. <br />Wildlife habitat management and creation (3.1.8.(2)) <br />In accordance with the wishes of the landowner, and based on planned post-reclamation use as grazing land, <br />no actions specifically to create or improve wildlife habitat in the permit area shall be undertaken. <br />Topsoil (3.1.9.) <br />See Exhibit I. Between 4" and 16" (average assumed 12") of soil will be removed prior to extraction. Any woody <br />vegetation will be removed and either disposed of or mixed with topsoil to improve organic content, but any <br />upper organic layer (twigs, needles, leaves) will be left with soil. When possible, soil will be placed immediately <br />on areas being reclaimed; otherwise it will be stockpiled for protection (See discussion in Exhibit D). Relocation <br />of stockpiled topsoil will be minimized. First priority for topsoil placement will be on steeper slopes and then <br />flatter areas, except basins (where water is expected to pond frequently during snow melt and after storm <br />events) and roadways. Topsoil will be placed with a thickness at least equal to the average for the general area <br />prior to mining (assumed to be 12"). There are not expected to be any heavily textured backfill slopes that could <br />have a potential for instability of topsoil placed on them. Topsoil existing on site appears to be of adequate <br />quality and quantity to allow for reclamation to pastureland. Excess soil may be removed from the site. !f there <br />is inadequate soil in large areas to provide at least six inches for reclamation, selected overburden shall be <br />selected and amended incoordination with the Natural Resources Conservation District as indicated by soil <br />testing to provide a suitable soil replacement for grazing land use. Any remaining vegetative piles (from <br />stripping and grubbing prior to mining or during reclamation) will be removed during reclamation. <br />Revegetation (3.1.10.) <br />See Exhibit J. Final reclamation will include establishment of aself-sustaining vegetative community of suitable <br />grasses and plants, except in basins expected to hold water regularly. During reclamation, weed control <br />methods as approved by Conservation District and County officials will be used on all affected land to <br />prevenUcontrol weed infestation. Reclamation will be deemed to have been accomplished when vegetative <br />cover is at least equal in extent of cover to the natural vegetation of the surrounding areas (grasslands), and <br />erosionlsedimentation is equal to or less than that of the original conditions of the site with any change in slopes <br />taken into account. Final approval of reclamation will be granted by the Colorado Department of Natural <br />