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2005 ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT <br />• NH1 <br />Farming by adjacent landowners continued as in past years on the 6.4 ac field in the NW <br />portion of the NH 1 Permit Area. The landowner was contacted and stated that a 50/50 mix <br />of fertilizers 18-46-0 and 34-0-0 were applied at a rate of 200 Ibs/acre, than harvested one <br />cutting for approximately 9.0 tons (2,8161bs/acre) of grasshay. Western Fuels applied 34- <br />0-0 fertilizer to a 45.65 acres parcel at the rate of 100 Ibs/acre. Exhibit 2005-1 shows the <br />locations of the fertilizer applications. Exhibit 2005-1 denotes rates and pasture yields <br />where applicable. For reference, Exhibit 2005-2 shows the pre-1993 disturbance at NH1. <br />Please note that the NH1 boundary changed in 2001 as a result of MR-52. <br />In preparation for bond release, an approximate 10 acre portion of NH1 was evaluated for <br />vegetative adequacy by BIO-Logic (BIO-Logic) Environmental of Montrose, Colorado. BIO- <br />Logic's assessment was that the parcel met the standards. The report is attached as <br />Appendix A; the general study location is shown in Exhibit 2005-2. <br />NH2 <br />Existing Disturbance <br />During 2005, 48.57 acres of new disturbance was associated with the mining program at <br />the New Horizon 2 Mine. 21.08 acres of topsoiled land was seeded with an approved mix. <br />• The 2005 Disturbance and Seeding Maps, Exhibit 2005-12 and 2005-4 respectively, show <br />the areas either disturbed, reseeded, or both, during 2005. An extra 22.02 acres was <br />topsoiled for future seeding (Exhibit 2005-6). <br />Backfilling and Grading <br />During 2005, 29.32 acres (see Exhibit 2005-7) were graded at New Horizon 2. Backfill <br />grading was accomplished by backfilling the empty pit with struck-shovel fleet and then <br />final grading with D-9 dozers and 14G grader. <br />Soil and Spoil Scarification <br />The following soil and spoil scarification techniques were used while grading the <br />reclamation area. Prior to growth media soil replacement, the final graded spoil was <br />scarified to a depth of 6 to 18 inches using ripper shanks attached behind a motor grader <br />or a D-9 or equivalent dozer. This scarifying operation effectively reduced compaction, <br />reduced runoff, and improved infiltration, while improving rooting depths. <br />Soil and Spoil Monitoring Data <br />New Horizon Mine is required by Permit C-81-008 to monitor replaced soil and final graded <br />spoil and submit the information to the Division. Monitoring programs include verifying soil <br />replacement thickness and determining final graded spoil quality. Exhibit 2005-6 depicts <br />topsoil thickness and sample locations. Exhibit 2005-7 depicts backfill spoil sample map <br />and shows subsurtace sample locations. <br />. Sooil Quality <br />The spoil sampling and analysis program approved for New Horizon Mine is described in <br />Section 2.05.4(2)(d)-4 Regraded Spoil Monitoring Program of Permit C-81-008. Four (4) <br />