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Reclamation of the loadout began with backfilling and regrading the area between July and <br />November 1996. A complete application for Phase I Bond Release was received by the <br />Division on 21 August 1997 and approved on 4 November 1997. The loadout was reseeded in <br />1997 and, after what the Operator deemed inadequate vegetation, again in 1999. Upon <br />submittal and approval of a Phase II Bond Release for the loadout (no sooner than 2004), the <br />Operator will remove all of the surface water control structures and grade these areas to <br />approximate original contour. Topsoil will be spread on these areas followed by seeding and <br />mulching. <br />Topsoii <br />Topsoil stripping depths and recoveries varied at the mine site and loadout. This is due to <br />the previous pre-law mining disturbances and subsequent loss of topsoil, coupled with the <br />presence of a rocky sub-strata "B" horizon, consisting primarily of cobbly, unconsolidated <br />colluvial/alluvial outwash materials. Topsoil recovery has been from 0-1 foot as a result in <br />some locations. In order to facilitate successful revegetation, EFCI prepared the disturbed <br />areas for seeding by ripping the regraded facilities area to a depth of 2 to 3 feet prior to <br />topsoil replacement. Sufficient topsoil was retained for final reclamation of the ponds on the <br />mine site and loadout. <br />EFCI also utilized direct replacement or live-handling of topsoil where practical. In live <br />handling, the "A" horizon is separated from the "B" horizon (subsoil). The common practice <br />was, as the footprint of the refuse disposal pile proceeded westward, to strip the topsoil and <br />carry it to the top of the refuse pile where it was placed over the subsoil material which had <br />been graded over the refuse lift. The mine is permitted for a permanent topsoil pile atop the <br />refuse area. This topsoil pile is designated M-4. <br />In the 1997 Midterm review, a deficiency of topsoil material was noted. Consequently, EFCI <br />included the Newlin Creek topsoil stockpile into its permit area. The Newlin Creek topsoil <br />stockpile was a remaining topsoil stockpile from the reclamation of the adjacent Newlin Creek <br />Mine. This topsoil was used to complete topsoiling at the Southfield Mine. <br />Backfilling and grading will re-establish contours to approximate original configuration with <br />existing landforms. <br />Reveaetation <br />Revegetation techniques for reclamation of the mine site are covered in Section 2.04.10 of <br />the permit application and have been approved by the Division. EFCI used both a temporary <br />and a permanent seed mix. The temporary seed mix was used in areas that were to be re- <br />disturbed in the future and offered prevention against significant erosion. In the fall of 2002, <br />following final reclamation of the site, EFCI seeded the site with a cover crop. Permanent <br />seeding was performed in the fail of 2003. The seeded areas were then mulched and <br />crimped. EFCI has seeded the disturbed areas with a permanent seed mix that has been <br />approved by the Division and can be found in Section 2.05.4, page 21 R of the permit <br />application. Both drill and broadcast seeding methods were used at the site to re-establish <br />vegetation. <br />Shrub and tree saplings have been planted on the refuse pile with limited success due to <br />deer and elk foraging on the tender transplants. EFCI has planted shrub clumps on the <br />