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<br />19. You propose to mine and slope the margins of the pits first, and mine the interiors second. It is presumed <br />(though it is not clearly stated) that access to the pits during mining will primarily be gained via the existing old <br />railroad grade. Therefore, if excavation is to occur along the margins, will those margins closest to the road be <br />excavated last? How much pit perimeter do you expect to excavate and slope before the interior azeas are mined? <br />20. When the pits are fully mined, all pond inslopes will have already been established. The perimeter sloping will <br />precede the excavation of the interior of the pit azeas. The perimeter excavations will consist of linear "trenches," <br />but will both sides of the trenches be sloped? If the side of the trench adjoining the pit interior is not sloped, and <br />mining ceases, it will have to be reclaimed. <br />21. Your plan is to create ponds, but until the land which has been disturbed by mining is actually below the <br />seasonal low water line, that affected area presents a reclamation liability. Types of activities contributing to <br />mining disturbance includes topsoil stripping and stockpiling, excavation, and processing equipment areas. How <br />much interior area acreage will be affected at any point in time? Will the advancing highwall be maintained at any <br />certain slope? If the excavation ceases in a pit before it is fully mined (out to the perimeter slopes) all slopes must <br />meet reclamation criteria, no matter their location in the permit area. <br />22. You state that topsoil will tie stockpiled along the edges of the pit areas, until it is needed. Will the stockpiles <br />be in the setback areas as shown on the maps? If so, please describe how it will be placed or configured so that it <br />will not slough into Tomichi Creek or onto areas outside the proposed affected area. Please describe the methods <br />of topsoil protection to be used while it is in the stockpile. <br />23. What will be the types of disturbance, if any, within the 60-foot setback along Tomichi Creek? The relative <br />elevations of the creek and the pond surface aze not provided. While it is expected that the ground surface in the <br />setback must slope toward each of these water surfaces, it is not clear what the configuration of the slope surface <br />within this setback will be. Please clarify these items. <br />Exhibit E -Reclamation Plan (Rule 6.4.5) <br />24. Please specify the depth of topsoil to be replaced on the pit slopes and other margin areas. <br />25. Please be more specific with the species names and planting rates for the revegetation plan. In particular, state <br />the species and variety of seed, method of seed application, type and rate of mulch, and formulation and rate of <br />fertilizer. For planting stock, please specify the species and varieties, size of stock, and planting rates or spacing. <br />For specific information, you may contact the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Gunnison. <br />26. The acreage given for the larger pond does not match the figures shown on the reclamation map. Please revise <br />the acreages or explain the difference. <br />27. Please describe the slope configuration, plus any needed topsoiling, seeding, etc., to be performed within the <br />60-foot setback along the creek. <br />28. You provided a cross section diagram of the pond on the reclamation map, showing the grade break from the <br />3:1 slope to the 2:1 slope, at a depth often feet of water. There is no specific reference to these slopes in the plan, <br />though it may be presumed. Do you plan to meet the criteria for the maximum slopes as shown on the map? <br />Exhibit F -Reclamation Plan Ma~(Rule 6 4 61 <br />29. As stated under Exhibit C, above, there is a bit of confusion about the location of the permitted area boundary, <br />the affected area boundary, and the setback areas which are not to be mined but possibly affected somehow. Along <br />the boundary lines depicted, it is not clear where the edge of the water is, where the level areas are, or where the <br />pond inslopes are. <br />30. If there is to be no disturbance in the 60-foot setback from Tomichi Creek, why is it to be seeded? <br />