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MINING PLAN <br />Phasing: The permit area includes two phases, numbered 1 and 2. Only Phase 1 is <br />included in this permitting action. Phase 2 includes lands adjacent to Phase 1 that form <br />an integrated unit. Phase 2 will not be affected, except as defined in this permit, prior to <br />planning and permitting that phase. Phase 2 is tentatively divided into a western part <br />(Phase 2w) and an eastern part (Phase 2e). <br />The reason this unusual phasing pattern is used is simply a matter of not <br />knowing, at this time, exactly how Phase 2 would be mined and reclaimed. Much of that <br />plan will be dependent on what is learned while mining Phase 1. As the groundwater <br />monitoring proceeds during Phase 1, more will become known about the characteristics of <br />the groundwater and the possible or probable effects of slurry walls more precisely <br />defined, Once the operator is confident the effects of mining this area are reasonably well <br />understood, Phase 2 can be planned. <br />Another and mare important reason Phase 2 is not planned at this time involves <br />some significant wetland issues. Both the far western and far eastern portions of this part <br />of the permit area contain significant wetland units (see Exhibit C-7). For the most part, <br />these wetland units are riparian forest dominated with asub-story of sometimes dense <br />hydrophytic vegetation. It is not known exactly how these wetland issues will be involved <br />by the time permitting is needed in that area, so staying flexible with respect to future <br />requirements is probably prudent. <br />As will be discussed in the reclamation plan, a portion of Phase 1 is designed to be <br />a wetland creation demonstration and experimental area. During the reclamation of <br />Phase 1 it will be determined what requirements need to be met to create the <br />replacement wetlands. <br />Thus, in a sense, Phase 1 is the proving grounds prior to entering Phase 2 or the <br />other portions of the permitted area. Any efforts in Phase 1 that are not successful to the <br />extent desired can provide valuable information for correction of design parameters in <br />subsequent phases. This is not to say that the mining or reclamation in Phase 1 is <br />expected be a failure or to be less than adequate; only that by applying what is learned in <br />earlier phases helps improve the reclamation product created in later phases. <br />Mining Methods <br />General approach: The general approach to mining the aggregates will be as a dry pit <br />operation. That is, aggregate will be mined from a dewatered deposit. <br />Pueblo East it Amen ment Exhibit D age <br />