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Mr. Dan Mathewr Division ofMineralr and Gevlagy Page 3 Response: Grading is accomplished by dozing ungraded spoil into a final configuration at push/fill depths up to 4 feet deep on each pass. This is deeper than a normal ripper on a dozer can penetrate. Some azeas have only had topsoil removed and no other disturbance activities conducted except to replace the topsoil that was previously removed. The Division should also note that this "plan" was prepared and approved in ] 997, prior to any actual regrading activities and sampling. The definitions of the word "ameliorate" means to make better or improve. SCC believes that considering the material we are working with in vazious areas, we aze ameliorating the clay . texture to the extent that `4ntensive deep tipping o~ chiseling" or other aspects ofthe unsuitable spoil mitigation plan can improve the simation. Nothing in the mitigation plan indicates that the clay texture situation has to completely go away, it just says SCC will "make it better". iii)Ifremedial measures have not been implemented, please address measures that wi/I be taken dutittg the cuaenr fell season. For arear that mere reeled reveralyearr prrviourly, the logical initial rtep mould entail an arrerrment of apparent revegetation rucrosr in the rabjea anar, supplemented by tert pih to evaluate tooting characterirticr, and to further delineate the arear with excerr clay content. Response: SCC plans to sample 2 or 3 pits in the origina12003 seeding area in 2005. These pits can be placed in azeas that indicate high clay content. 10. The approved permit alto dercriber portmine rpoil/highmall rampling and mitigation to be applied within the reclaimed Wadge and Wolf Creek mining blocky of the South Extension Ana Page 9 of Tab 6 deririber potential concerns with acid forming potential arrociated with Wolf Creek overburden, bared an overburden analyrer from the Yaart Mine, and mater that a rpoil rampling program will be conducted fn the Wo f Creek mining block ar dercnbed in Tab 21. On page 40 of Tab 6, there it dircurrion of concern ngarding excerrive clay levelr m thole rtrata overlying the Lennox ream, and concern with potential acidity arrociated with the Lennox ream and encaprulating rtmta. A rampling plan will be used near the Lennox final outcrop ar rhown on Exhibit 6-6 and throughout the southern mine block to identifyftnalgraded areas hotting an unsuitable clay, pH, and/or acid base potentiallevel. The unsuitable shale and clay strata enrntmtemd m the reduced highwall or upper three feet offna/graded spoil will be scarifed prior to being covered with topsoil. Then it na rpecific rampling area delineated on Map 6-6A far the South Extension, corresponding to the rampGng area delineated on Map 6-6 for the original permit area. However, because the Lennox ream overlier the Wadge in rignificant portionr of the Wadge mine bkck in the South Extension, and becaure of the acid formingpotentia/ of the Wolf Cnek overburden, it reemr clear that the rpoi! monitoring plan it to be applied throughout both the Wadge and Wolf Creek mining blocky (eg. all mimed arearJ of the South Extension Ana. The Tab 21 rampling and mitigation plan is referenced Four rpoil rampler wen taken within a rmall sough graded area at the south end of the Wolf Cnek block in December 2004. However, no rampler wen taken in the 20~- atnr offinal8raded spoil in the Wadge mine ana, in dhe northern portion of the South Extenrion Ana. a) Please explain why no sampling was conducted rn the fnalgraded areas ofthe South Extension badge Area. Response: SCC scheduled this sampling for 2005 following grading of a significant larger portion of the azea. b) Please address measures that are being taken to ensure that current and forum spoil sampling, evaluation, and remediadon ifnecessary, will be implemented prior to ropsoiGng, m accordance with the approved permit, throughout the South Extension Area.