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<br />If *_he proposed mining operation denle[es eater flows in Rapid and Cottonvood <br />Creeks, the eater flows is the alluvial aquifer would in turn also be <br />depleted. Asa re suit properly installed monitoring yells may be necessary. <br />The monitoring yells should, in a very short time, indicate vhether increased <br />mine inflows were due to depleting a perched aquifer or were due to the <br />depletion of the alluvial ground waterfrom the above Creeks. This concern is <br />covered in [he attached State stipulations. <br />Soil <br />Since mining at this operation began prior to the Surface '.lining Control and <br />Reclamation 9c t, ao Copaoil vas salvaged is construction of the mine benches. <br />Topsoil from the loadout area was used to build the loadout stacker pad, wiCh <br />a very small amount was stockpiled. The majority of the topsoil salvaged was <br />removed from the location of the Cameo refuse pile. <br />Soi'_s in the general area are commonly high in sodium and occasionally <br />saline. This is reflected is the sparse vegetation that is primarily composed <br />of salt-tolerant species such as Creasevood, that is are commonly found in <br />these soils. The analyses of the stockpiled soil sad she material presently <br />found growing on the surface of the disturbed areas justifiably refleces the <br />saline and sodic conditions of this area. <br />Upon the completion of backfilling and grading operations, topsoil will be <br />redistributed to a minimum depth of siz inches. Prior to redistributlan of <br />the Copaoil, the graded surface will be ripped to alleviate compaction and <br />licit surface slippage. <br />If the applicant is able to prove to CMLRD [hat 4 feet of cover over the coal <br />processing waste banks is not required to obtain successful re vegetation and <br />minimize disturbance to the hydrologic balance, sufficient soil should be <br />available to replace the minimum of six inches of tonaoil for the disturbed <br />area. <br />Revegetacion of the mine area following topsoil replacement will be difficult <br />because of saline and sodic soils, and lov precipitation. The applicant <br />should, with intensive management, be able to revegetate the disturbed area to <br />an equal cover, production, and woody plant density as the surrounding area. <br />Vegetation <br />The vegetation surrounding the disturbed area is a sparsely covered salt <br />desert vegetation type except along the Colorado River which is a riparian <br />vegetation type. <br />Since the Roadside and Cameo `lines are existing underground mines and future <br />surface disturbance is anticipated, the collection of ?re-mining baseline <br />information vas not possible. 'The company has proposed to establish "three <br />representative control areas" that wil: be used for revegetat'_on success <br />compari sons. <br />-1=- <br />