2002-05-29_REVISION - M1990025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Exhibit Page 19 Resources after reporting and inspection. Original vegetation cover is documented by photography in 2000- 2002 on the site. If desired, previously reclaimed and released areas of the pennit may be used for baseline. The seed mixes and methods of seeding, fertilization, and weed control to be used (Exhibit J) have been approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, local Conservation District, and Weed Control District, and were recommended by the Range Conservationist. The large undisturbed areas on and around the entire site will provide a source of seed for natural propagation of species native to the area that are not included in the seed mix. The area will not be revegetated in the mixed ponderosa-pinyon forest that presently occupies the site, in accordance with the landowner's wishes, but will restored as grassland with relatively fewer forts and trees. TOPSOIL, SPOIL, AND REVEGETATION (6.4.5.(2jd.j As discussed above, topsoil will be removed from the pit and segregated in stockpiles. Stockpile areas will be reclaimed and revegetated in the same way as other mined areas. Where soil was left at the time of construction (because soil was placed in the stockpile}, and where a clay or silt layer exists above the shale (after mining gravel), the areas will be chiseled or ripped (scarified) prior to replacement of topsoil and seeding. As discussed above, revegetation will be done with species, methods, rates, availability and scheduling as discussed in Exhibit J. Exhibit E-2 shows a typical cross-section, looking west at the entire pit on anorth-south line, showing a profile of the surface before and after mining, and after reclamation, and several details showing reclamation along the uphill and downhill edges of the mined area. No permanent highwafls are to be left; all will be backfilled. Map F-1 shows phases of reclamation, including previously reclaimed areas. Map F-2 in Exhibit F show planned, approximate contours and elevations after mining and reclamation. Basins are shown only as approximate locations, since the shale surface is irregular and actual locations cannot be determined until mining is actually completed. Road alignments may be varied slightly based on landowner wishes and changes in basin locations. PLAN/SCHEDULE (6.4.5.(2)e.) The following features constructed during mining or reclamation will be left in place as permanent post-reclamation features, as requested by the landowner: 1. Access roads. Access roads will be built to county specifications current at the time of construction, and will be provided to the landowner in acceptable condition to meet county requirements at the time of reclamation release. 2. Basins. Basins will be designed to catch and allow surface runoff from the immediate area to recharge ground water on the mesa top, in order to provide a water source for livestock, and allow for subirrigation of the grass. These basins will not have topsoil replaced in them. Slopes will be not greater than 6H:1 V and depths will be not greater than 4 feet with at least two feet freeboard and are not designed for discharge. (Depths after low-frequency storms may be greater.) Under normal conditions, open water is not expected to remain in these basins for long periods of time, and water-loving species of plants will colonize these areas. (As has happened at basins earlier created by mining.) 3. Backfilling, grading, and placement of topsoil should be accomplished within one year of completion of mining or use of an area as a work area (including stockpiles), with seeding to follow as soon as possible based on recommendations (See Map, Exhibit F, and Exhibit J). Iltems specified for the Reclamation Plan in Rule 6.4.5.(1) and 6.4.5.(2)f. have been included in other items in this Exhibit or have been included in other Exhibits referenced above, and therefore are not separately listed in this exhibit.