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Mr. Dan Mathews Division ofMinera/rAnd Geohgy Page 5 • The 2004 Annual Reclamation Report contains the required sumry-bared topsoil balance evaluation Table 04.1 dacumenu a total volume of 698.1 acre feet of toproil in stockpiler at the end of 2004. The narrative section of the repoK on page 2 and 3 indicates that the matte area d:'rtur$ance (at the end of 2004) that will ultimately need to be topsoiled is 473 acres. Thu balance of disturbed acreage to be toproiled and volume of roil in stockpiler translates to an average replacement thickness of 1.48 feet (17.8 inches). The report assessment concluder that the current toproil balance documents an adequate volume of roil in stockpile to reclaim the mine. However, the Division notes that at the end of 2004, toproi/ing had been completed within the anginal permit area, with the exception of certain facility hcationr. With there exceptions, all of the acreage to be topsoiled as of the end of 2004 is within the South Extension Area. So it would appear that the stockpile volume would result in a mean replacement thickness a couple of inches short of the 1.7 foot thickness pavjected for the South Extennon. a) Please update the narrative assessment m the topsoil balance section of the trpott to clearly reflect consideration oftbe currently approved replacement depths far the South F,xtension, as well as the original pemrit area. Projected mean replacement thickness for the South Extension area may have been adjusted m PR-5 amendments, to reflect the most recent stockpile serve}; please verify that this is the case. Response: No topsoil was replaced in the South Extension area in 2004, The azeas were laid out according to a balance in the original plan. It should be understood that a projected topsoil replacement thickness is a moving target The replacement of topsoil that varies +/- a few inches over the acreages that SCC replaces in a given yeaz can significantly affeM the topsoIl balance. In addition, the amount of topsoil estimated in each stockpile at the end of each yeaz can vary year to year. Recently, the Division has suggested that SCC replace varying thicknesses of topsoIl of the mine area, this practice will not meet the projected average replacement thickness until all topsoil is replaced. 13. Permit Tab 22 contains rommitments to report annual weed control activities, ar well ar annual qualitative monitoring asserrmenu to ident~ new weed infertationr and assess status ofpreviously treated areas. The 2004 Annual Reclamation Report contains a description of control activities, target species, herbicides cared and rater applied, as well as herbicide application daily logs, and the 2004 Weed Control Map. The Weed Control Map documenu that 2004 control activity was largely restricted to mad corridors and long temt facility areas. A mmpnhensive axed inventory/mapping project to assert the status ofpreviour treatments war attempted in 2004, but was not rompleted due to problems with the contractor. The project it to be mmpleted in 2005, and rtpeated in subsequentyearr. The operator has retained a different contractor to perform the annual assessments. A revere infestation of black henbane war documented in the spring of2005 in the `D"Pit area, and control efforts were promptly initiated, monitoring and fallow-ttp treatments and re-reeding will be required During 2005, weed control efforts have been expanded into leer acrerribkportions of the reclamation, but sign cant infestations of Canada thistle and bull tMrtk have been observed on recent inrpectianr of the `D"Pit and `B "Pit, that have not been treated Please ensure that reclaimed areas are thoroughly surveyed and that infestations are properly treated in the fall of 2005. Certain amendments to the weed control p/an and related aspects ofthe revegetation plan appear to be warranted. 7%rese items will be addressed irr the Dfrisfon's fotthcontfngpermftrenewal adequacy review letter. Response: This will be addressed in the 2005 ARR. •