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_. r Permittee: WHITEWATER BUIL III IIIIIIIIIIIII'll RP• PAGE 2 Permit #: M-77-129 Operation Name: WHITEWATER 500 PIT Anniversary Date: 09122/96 (2) Most of the reclamation is complete in Stage 1 at this time and the lake surface has stabilized higher than expected. We are preparing to create the slopes along the north and south sides of the lake in Stage 2. The material needed to do this, is stockpiled in the areas shown on the map (blue). Additional sloping was completed in Stage C (orange) and we have approximately 100,000 cy of over burden stored in Stages A & C that will be used on the alpha stages and in Stage 2 as needed (tan). These piles are in a constant state of flux as areas are stripped and resoiled. Where they remain undisturbed, they have weeds and grass growing on them that protects them from erosion. Part of the mined area west of the existing lake is being used as a settling pond for process water (brown). Weed control will begin this fall as suggested by Ms. Judith Sirota - Mesa County Weed Inspector on the area around the active mining site and in Stage 1. All the revegetation areas in Stages X, Y and 1 are resoiled, ready for seeding. We have been monitoring the slopes along the north side and they are beginning to show vegetation growth consistent with the surrounding area. Remember, that the area inside the road in Stages X & Y are cattle feed areas and do not have to be revegetated. There has been a surprising amount of natural invasion of grasses and shrubs into this area as well. Please refer to Map ikl from the 1996 annual report for the areas discussed. (3) We will begin to mine on 9.62 acres ± in Stage 2 this year and on the 0.78 acres ± stripped in Stage D (purple). if more area is needed, we will resume stripping toward the east side of Stage 2 and move into Stage E. We will con- tinue to stockpile growth medium along the perimeters of the mined area, so sloping can be done when mining ends. (4) Now that the lake in Stage 1 has been stable for a couple years natural invasion of grasses and shrubs has begun to occur around the lake and on upland areas. Remedial work remains on the slump area shown on the 1996 map. It appears to have stabilized itself, so during the winter of 1998-99 we will begin to correct the sloping deficiencies in this area. We are still awaiting word from the landowners re- garding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchase plan. Our discussions with the USFWS indicated that they may wish to breach the bank between the river and the lake to allow endangered fish to migrate into the lake during spring when the river level is high. The ideal place to make this breach would be in the slump area. However, until we have confirmation that they have acquired the site we will re- claim it as approved in the plan. Weed control will con- tinue next year and we expect to seed the above water area