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Exhibit E -Reclamation Plan <br />Mulching <br />Various types of mulching or cover crops may be used to facilitate the establishment of <br />permanent vegetation communities. The primary mulch type used to facilitate germination and <br />establishment of suitable vegetation covers are certified weed free native hay or straw mulch. <br />Omitting the mulching process is also an option when conducting permanent vegetation planting <br />operations. We will determine if mulch is needed at the time of reclamation based on site <br />conditions. <br />Native Hay or Straw <br />When much is used, the preferred type will be native hay, with agricultural cereal straw being <br />second. Native hay or straw mulch will be applied at a targeted rate of 2 tons per acre. Native hay <br />or straw mulch materials will be evenly and uniformly distributed over the treatment site. Mulch <br />may be spread either by hand or equipment. Mulch materials will be certified free of weeds, <br />mold, and fungus. At least 50 percent of the mulch material by weight will be equal to or greater <br />than 10 inches in length. Afrer surface application, the mulch wiN be crimped or adequately <br />tacked (normally at least 80 pounds of R-tack per acre). When used, mulch will be applied as <br />soon as is practicable following completion of seeding activities. Care will be taken to spread <br />mulching machinery traffic across the planted surface and multiple trip passes along a single <br />route avoided in an effort to avoid excessive soil compaction. <br />No Mulch Option <br />Recent data on arid and semi-arid native prairie rangeland restoration projects suggests that <br />mulching may not always be a desirable component in the reclamation process, particularly when <br />rock is present in the topsoil. Mulch may contain noxious or other weedy species that are <br />detrimental to establishment of the desired plant species and vegetation communities (even when <br />certified weed-free). While mulch shades the ground and inhibits evaporation of soil moisture, it <br />also intercepts and absorbs precipitation, thus preventing some precipitation from entering the <br />soil profile. Under drought conditions, absorption of precipitation may be critical for seed <br />survival. Additionally, recent test plot data suggests that use of mulch may inhibit expression of <br />seed mixture species diversity. For these reasons, native hay, straw or hydro mulches may or may <br />not be applied based on the site conditions at the reclaimed areas for a given year. <br />Surface Roughening <br />Surface roughening is the most important water harvesting and retention method that can be used <br />in reclaiming disturbed lands. Surface roughening that can be used at the mine site includes <br />contour furrowing, contour drill seeding, cleat tracking and soil gouging. Surface roughening <br />activities will be performed on the contour whenever physically and operationally feasible. <br />Construction along the contour is particularly critical for surface roughening with a linear <br />configuration. Surface roughening operations will be timed appropriately during the soil <br />reconstruction and vegetation planting process to optimize its effectiveness while supporting <br />vegetation establishment. Revegetation of hardpacked land such as roads and parking areas will <br />occur after the ground has been broken up and turned so as to properly loosen the soils for <br />seeding. <br />1898-Frei 112 Hxhibits_(4.20.05).doc E-6 <br />