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6.4.4 EXHIBIT D -Mining Plan <br />This is a new application for a sand and gravel operation located in Montrose County. <br />The area to be mined is approximately two miles southeast of Redvale and lies on the western <br />edge of Wrights Mesa at an elevation of approximately 6,600 feet or about 500 feet above <br />Naturita Creek. <br />Historically, the area was utilized for irrigated and non-irrigated pasture with some cultivation for <br />hay crops. Mining of construction materials has occurred along this outcrop above Naturita Creek <br />for decades. <br />Conventional equipment will be used for mining the material such as dozers, front-end loaders, <br />scrapers and haul trucks. Refer to Exhibit C-2 Mine Plan for the direction and extent of the <br />excavation. <br />The disturbance created by this mining operation will not require the diversion or impoundment of <br />water. Water used in the mining operation will be for occasional watering of the access roadway, <br />in which case the water will be imported and spread by truck. <br />The material will be mined, sized and removed for use as various aggregate products and <br />construction materials. Various product stockpiles may be created on site for future needs. <br />The affected area is illustrated on Exhibit C-1 Pre-Mining Topography. The location of existing <br />features, immediately adjacent stmctures and other pertinent information aze also portrayed on <br />this map. The life of the mine, based on the present demand for materials, is estimated to be about <br />8 years based on a production rate of 300,000 tons per yeaz; the actual rate of mining will depend <br />on the changing demand for construction materials. Mining will begin in the spring of 2003. <br />There are some noxious weeds throughout the projected disturbance azea. Noxious weeds on the <br />permit area will be controlled per the weed control and prevention plan included in Exhibit J - <br />Vegetation. <br />Available topsoil will be stripped from the azea to be disturbed and stockpiled around the <br />perimeter of the site. As a stabilization measure, any topsoil which is to be stockpiled longer than <br />about one growing season will be broadcast seeded with a perennial sod-forming grass cover such <br />as western wheatgrass at a typical rate of 20 pounds/acre. The site will then be mined to a depth of <br />about 30± feet. <br />Excavation of the gravel pit will create steep but stable advancing side slopes. The side slopes <br />will be reduced to a 2.Sh:ly slope before topsoil is applied and graded to depth. The advancing <br />face of the pit will also be reduced to a 2.Sh:ly slope as the pit approaches the Gurley ditch. The <br />slope of the pit excavation immediately west of the 50 foot wide Gurley ditch buffer zone will not <br />be steeper than 2.SH:1 V at any time during the mining operation. Caze will be taken to keep al] <br />activities and disturbance within the projected pit disturbance boundaries. <br />Overburden encountered during initial mining will be placed in a sepazate stockpile located inside <br />of the topsoil stockpile around the perimeter of the site. To the extent possible, overburden will <br />be excavated and placed directed back into the pit. The overburden will be used to reduce the <br />steep side slopes or to provide porous material over the underlying shale layer. <br />12/02 D - 1 <br />