Laserfiche WebLink
<br />This central processing area is shown on the mining map to possibly contain a swc[ure, distinct from the pond <br />banks and roads. Please describe any such structure. Likewise, if any sort of pad or loadout is planned for the rail <br />spur area, please describe T'also. <br />Is there any specific plan for fluid containment in the processing area? Fluids such as hydrocarbons and antifreeze <br />are of primary concern, since the depth to groundwater and distance to surface water will be short, and even small <br />spills or leaks may become large problems. I do not see a problem with onsite fluid storage if adequate secondan• <br />containment is ensured, and good housekeeping and clean-up practices are employed. Please comment. <br />As mentioned above, there may be wetland areas in the vicinity of some of your proposed activities. What impacts <br />do you foresee to the wetland areas near the product stockpile area on the east end? Some of these areas appear to <br />be within your affected area, but avoiding them is not clearly stated. Please clarify. <br />Exhibit E -Reclamation Plan <br />The questions articulated above, regarding depth to groundwater, fluctuation of water level, slope gradients to be <br />maintained during mining (if other than 3: l), and final slope length, may also be answered by }'ou under [his <br />exhibit, if you wish. These all factor into the bond calculation, since they involve earthwork amounts and surfaces <br />affected. <br />You state that pond slopes shall be no steeper than 3:1 between an elevation range of 5 feet above to 10 feet below <br />the expected waterline, and shall be 2:1 elsewhere. Since the depth to water is not knotm, though it may be greater <br />than ~ feet, please clarify if you expect to have 2:1 gradients on upper slopes above the 3: l slopes. This could <br />affect the earthwork costs, method of topsoil replacement and ability for equipment to access and traverse the <br />slopes. <br />Will there be any pads or loadout structures, associated with the processing, stockpiling or rail spur areas, to be <br />removed during reclamation? Will there be any such structures which will remain? Please clarify, and if such <br />structures are planned, please depict them on the appropriate map(s). <br />If [he water line is expected to vary seasonally, please clarify if this will affect the range of elevations within which <br />the 3: l slope must be created. (Please note that the high water line will be utilized for determining the lower limit <br />of the slopes to be topsoiled and seeded, and upon which these reclamation task costs will be based.) <br />You stated that there would be up to 75 acres of disturbance at any one time, and 25 acres will pertain to the rail <br />spur. Is that 25 acres included in the 75-acre total'? <br />What is meant by "vegetative piles to remove"? Is this woody vegetation that is stripped prior [o mining? If there <br />are brushy or wooded areas, distinct from the rangeland or pastureland, please show them on the vegetation map. <br />What will be the methods of woody debris handling or removal, during mining or reclamation? <br />The reclamation plan states that no fertilizer will be used, yet costs for its application are shown in Exhibit L. <br />There is no mention made under this exhibit about use of mulch, but it also appears on the Exhibit L list of costs. <br />Please clarifi~ both of these items. <br />It is not clear if the NRCS assisted in preparing the revegetation recommendations. If so, did they include a forb or <br />legume in the seed mix? It would be preferable to include one. <br />Exhibit F -Reclamation Mao <br />The map shows the post-mining features, though some of them are not clearly depicted or explained. The final <br />topography must be shown such that drainage patterns and direction and rate of slope is clear. Contour interval is <br />five feet, and depth to water may be less than that in man}' places. All pond inslopes must therefore either have <br />