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<br />CNAPTERTWO Proposed Action and AlternaWes <br />' development during the first 30 yeazs of mining (Figure 2-2) is listed in Table 2-2. These <br />amounts range from 59 acres to 98 acres and average about 80 acres. <br />2.2.7.3 Surface Facility Reclamation <br />Other than the surface facilities that aze related specifically to the operation of individual solution <br />mining wells and whose staged retirement and reclamation aze described in Section 2.2.7.2, most <br />surface facilities at both the Piceance Site and the Parachute Site would function indefinitely, and <br />their reclamation would only occur in the distant future. Reclamation of these facilities would be <br />consistent with applicable requirements in effect at the time. <br />In general, surface facilities that aze located on public lands and that are to be closed or <br />abandoned would be cleared of all equipment and debris, and surface excavations (including <br />evaporation ponds) and soil disturbance would be reclaimed as described in Section 2.2.7.2. Any <br />permanent structures, such as concrete pads or footers, aze anticipated to be buried in place or <br />' demolished and buried, as appropriate. Such structures would be covered with at least 2 feet of <br />soil, and the azea would be graded to conform to the natural topography. The principal features <br />included at the Piceance Site are described in Section 2.2.1, and the principal features included at <br />the Parachute Site are described in Section 2.2.3. Above-ground features of the 43.4-mile-long <br />buried product and return water pipelines would be disposed of similarly and the surrounding <br />pads reclaimed. It is not anticipated that the pipelines themselves would ever be excavated and <br />removed. All sites would be stabilized using suitable techniques (e.g., mulching or annual <br />vegetation) to prevent erosion until perennial vegetation has become established and reclamation <br />is complete. Annual or noxious weeds would be controlled as directed by and in a manner <br />approved by the BLM, as appropriate. Surface facility sites would be revegetated as described in <br />Section 2.2.7.5, or consistent with applicable requirements in effect at the time. <br />2.2.7.4 Access Road, Utility Corridor, and Pipeline Corridor Reclamation <br />Any access roads that are to be abandoned at the end of use would be regraded and revegetated. <br />Grading would be performed with the goal of restoring the site to approximate the surrounding <br />natural contour. Revegetation would involve ripping or disking the soil prior to seeding with <br />perennial vegetation. <br />Retired utility corridors would be regraded as appropriate to support revegetation efforts. <br />Reclamation of the pipeline corridor would occur immediately following installation of the <br />product and return water pipelines. In general, the excavated product pipeline and return water <br />pipeline trench would be backfilled with native earthen materials temporarily placed adjacent to <br />' it during pipeline installation. Final grading would restore the approximate original contours of <br />affected azeas to the extent possible. After the area has been graded, remaining topsoil would be <br />redistributed over the entire disturbed azea from which it was salvaged. All sites would be <br />stabilized using suitable techniques (e.g., mulching or annual vegetation) to prevent erosion until <br />perennial vegetation has become established and reclamation is complete. Annual or noxious <br />weeds would be controlled as directed by and in a manner approved by the BLM, as appropriate. <br />The pipeline corridor would be revegetated as described in Section 2.2.7.5. <br />2-27 <br />