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EXHIBIT D -RECLAMATION PLAN <br />]ack, ]r. and Barbara Clark <br />Upper Animas Sand >~ Gravel -August 2005 <br />The final reclamation plan at this site will be to tum the excavated pit into <br />a lake, Flnal side slopes of the lake will be 3 to 1 (Exhibit E-1). The topsoil and <br />recovered willows will be spread around the edges of the lake to restore the <br />riparian habitat. The areas of topsoil not covered with willows will be seeded <br />using a seed mixture recommended by the Natural Resources Conservation <br />Service or other governmental agency. It is hoped that enough topsoil and <br />overburden will be recovered prior to mining to result in 6" to 12" of material <br />placement prior to willow re-establishment and seeding. <br />All stockpiles of gravel will be removed. All equipment will be removed, <br />with the processing and stockpile areas reclaimed using the same topsoil, willow <br />and seeding methods. <br />The access road will remain as access to the lake. It should be noted that <br />the old railroad grade will not be affected by this operation and will remain as is. <br />Topsoil and overburden are considered one and the same at this location. <br />Not all the material present on top of the gravel is topsoil. Some is sand <br />material, but a mixture of existing topsoil and fertilizer would make satisfactory <br />plant growth medium. <br />It is estimated that 6750 yards of topsoil and overburden can be <br />recovered from the mine site prior to the beginning of mining. As previously <br />described, this material will be stockpiled on the north, east, and south sides of <br />the permit area. When mining is complete, a large lake and settling pond will <br />remain. Each of these two bodies will have side slopes into the water at 3 to 1. <br />These two bodies will always have water. It is thought that the water level will <br />fluctuate between one and two feet. It is also estimated that the water level will <br />never get higher than one foot below the finished surrounding ground level. <br />Both lakes will be approximately 12 to 15 feet deep. <br />The area around the lake to be reclaimed is approximately 160,000 square <br />feet, or 3.7 acres. The topsoil and overburden will be spread evenly between 6" <br />and 12" deep (thicker if possible) around the edges of the lake and pond. <br />Willows and willow starts will be transplanted around the lake and settling pond <br />on 50-foot centers. On the north, east, and southeast areas undisturbed willows <br />will be left in place. F_xtra willows placed in these areas prior to mining will be <br />moved to the west and south side of the lake and settling pond. The areas <br />between willow plantings will be seeded using the recommended seed mixture. <br />