2002-03-04_REVISION - M1986015 (8)

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RECLAMATION PLAN the Phase 2 area, particularly the western part of Phase 2, will need to be left open. Operating the eastern part of Phase 2 and the lands further to the east within the permit area would have minimal effects on the Phase 1 reclamation except for the plant site and the discharge facility. Therefore, if Phase 2 is mined, as expected, then reclamation of the plant site, the batch plant area, and the discharge facility will likely be delayed until the true end of the operation. Also, access to Phase 2 will not be reclaimed. That access will most likely be around the south side of the Phase 1 reservoir. However, because the reclamation of land south of the reservoir is important for protection of the slurry wall as well as for wetland creation demonstration areas, the access to Phase 2 in this area will be kept as close to the reservoir edge as possible thereby allowing for establishment of at least part of the vegetated buffer between the operation and the river or adjacent riparian forest. If this occurs, the access route will be excluded from reclamation in Phase 1 and will be included in the future amended plans for the reclamation of Phase 2. Post-Mining Land Uses The post mining land use is composed of three primary use classes -industrial, water storage, and wildlife habitat. These are shown on Exhibit F-2, but with somewhat more specific breakdowns than these three use classes. For most of the land, the post mining land use will be as a water storage reservoir. This includes all the land within the slurry wall. For the plant site and the batch plant area to the north of the plant site the final land use will be for development or industrial uses. (The batch plant, as explained in Exhibit D, is not actually a permitted structure although on permitted land.) Because these uses are so far in the future no assurance can be provided that these uses will, in fact, be implemented. It is probable, but not guaranteed. Therefore, the plant site and the batch plant portions have an alternate revegetation plan included in this Reclamation Plan. In the event development is not eminent at the end of the operation, this revegetation plan will be implemented. The only exception to this will be lands the batch plant will continue to use beyond the term of this permit. However, even if the batch plant does continue beyond the term of this permit the use of that batch plant site will constitute compliance with the reclamation plan for that area which is an industrial use. For the sediment and dewatering discharge area on the east side of the large drainage ditch located east of the plant site, the final land use will be as wildlife habitat. Pueblo East Pit Amendment xhibit E Page 2