1997-09-10_REVISION - M1977247 (6)

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of possibility of future mining due to high waste removal costs. 1997 AMENDMENT RECLAMATION CHANGES VS ORIGINAL RECLAMATION PLAN The original mining plan called for the removal of approximately 2.5 million tons of gypsum rock from the site prior to regrading and revegetation of the disttubed land areas. The amended reclamation plan will address the removal and/or regrading of all highwalls which may become unstable over time, most composed of gypsum rock, to a maximum slope of 1:1. The final surface feature in this area of the Affected Lands will be rock talus slopes portraying long term stability. An estimated 24 acres of flat mine bench areas will be covered with a minimum 12" of planting media and revegetated in a manner similar to many current reveg areas within the Affected Land boundaries. Primary crushing equipment will be removed and concrete structures buried on site. Approximately five miles of haul roads, access roads, and ramps will be removed, regraded, and revegetated. More than 600,000 tons of gypsum and other rock will be drilled, blasted, and bulldozed to meet the reclamation standards as set forth by the Division personnel over a number of site investigations and discussions. Nearly 40000 cubic yards of planting medium will be trucked to flat mine benches for use in revegetation of the areas. More than 150,000 tons of material will be bulldozed to achieve regrading criteria prior to revegetation. Long term stormwater management structures will be constructed to address and control up to 100 year events without a storm outfall from the property boundaries. One of the more significant changes to the permit will be regarding projected final land use of some portions of the mine property. The original plan called for wildlife habitat for all areas within affected land boundaries. The amended plan's goal will continue to be wildlife habitat for most areas within the affected land boundaries but will call for the sale of certain portions of the mining property including most of the undisturbed areas for general real estate and the maintenance shop area including three buildings as an industrial shop facility for heavy equipment maintenance and storage. The main shop building constructed in 1986 and two other maintenance buildings and surrounding yard area have proven to be a desirable commodity that is of interest to local businesses. This amendment will address all technical changes to the original mine and reclamation plan necessary to execute the Mined Land Reclamation Board Order as mandated October 16, 1995.