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_ RECLAMATION PLAN <br /> Inclusion of Old Quarry Edges. In the small existing quarry there are cliffs along the east side that <br /> are nearly vertical and range from a few feet high to as much as 25 to 30 feet high. Because these <br /> cliffs are close to the mesa edge which cannot be further disturbed, remining these cliffs to create a <br /> more gradual grade prior to backfilling is not generally possible without doing damage to the mesa <br /> edge. In most areas these cliffs will need to be backfilled to create a final slope. Fortunately, the <br /> lineal feet of wall in this condition is comparatively small, but the need to do this will somewhat <br /> reduce the available backftll for quarry edge walls created elsewhere. <br /> Water Resources <br /> There are no permanent streams within the Phase I (or Phase 2) areas. Drainage is generally <br /> to the south. Water flow from the permit areas only occurs during melting of heavy snows or after <br /> thunderstorms. In the grading of the quarry floor, especially on the south end of Phase 1, the <br /> drainage topography within the quarry will be established so as to connect flows from within the <br /> quarry to the historical drainageways. Retention of water within the quarry may occur in very <br /> shallow basins, but the grading of the quarry floor should eliminate most of those so that little if <br /> any water retrains within the quarry. <br /> A small spring near Phase 1 has been investigated and found to produce far less water than <br /> the 25 gpm that was indicated in the previous operator's permit application. This quarry operation <br /> is not expected to influence the rate of flow of this spring or the wetland vegetation it supports. The <br /> water supplying this spring does not come from the quarry area but from the entire mountain top. <br /> Precipitation falling on the mountain top seeps into the quartzite and into lower formations and <br /> eventually outlets in this and other small, intermittently productive springs. It is not expected that <br /> this quarry operation will affect any of the springs located well below and away from the mesa top. <br /> Wildlife Resources <br /> Although the mining process will clearly reduce the amount of useful wildlife habitat on the <br /> mountain top, much of that habitat is currently of low value. This is due to the limited amount of <br /> forage present in the Pinyon-Juniper woodland vegetation. The greatest amount of wildlife forage <br /> on the top of Table Mountain is present in the grassland areas occupied by the Nunn clay loam soils <br /> that greatly restrict tree and shrub growth. <br /> The revegetation plan is intended to emphasize the establishment of grasses in preference to <br /> trees. Thus the revegetation will increase forage values over what is presently found on the site. <br /> However, as evidenced by old mining disturbances, the invasion of trees and shrubs is rather rapid. <br /> Because the soils to be replaced will be considerably more coarse than the Nunn clay loam, which <br /> is uncommon on the mountain top, the replaced soil itself will encourage a return to forest. That <br /> will, in time, reduce the wildlife habitat value of the reclamation area, but it will take decades <br /> before that occurs. In the meantime, wildlife will enjoy a grassy mountain top with excellent forage <br /> values, but with the retention of good cover in surrounding areas. <br /> Table Mountain Quarry - Castle Concrete Company Exhibit E Page E-3 <br />