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Alternative B (Proposed Action) -Under this alternative, production would vary, depending on market demands; however, the operator's proposed pian of operations estimated that production could reach 800 to 1,000 tons per day. The proposed expansion would be done in a phased approach, moving from one area of the pit to another, proceeding from the top down to the pit floor. Mining would begin in one area of the remaining unmined portion of the pit, at the highest elevation of the pit wall. Material would be removed down to approximately 50 vertical feet below the beginning level. Once this material was removed and processed, mining would proceed to a different area or phase. Mining would again proceed about 50 feet down, and then operations would move to a different area and continue down the slope, and so forth, until the pit floor is eventually reached at the 7,540 foot elevation. If the mining operation follows the two phases shown in Figure 2.1, the amount of material removed and estimated time to do this are summarized as follows: PHASE 2A PHASE 2B ACREAGE 7.725 11.8 TOTAL TONS 340,000 620,000 TOTAL TIME TO MINE OUT 4-12 years 8-20 years Between phases, the park would monitor the operation to evaluate if the material mined continues to consist of decomposed granite and intermixed materials and to ensure no unforeseen adverse impacts are occurring. Monitoring of any archeological site recovery would occur during all phases of mine operation. 2.5. Reclamation Both alternatives would result in the eventual grading of the pit walls to a 2:1 slope and re- establishment of a native vegetation cover on all disturbed areas. Specific measures are included in the permit for Alternative A. Measures for Alternative B would include those proposed by the operator in the Plan of Operations, plus additional measures required by the NPS. Specific mitigation measures related to reclamation are listed in Tables 2.1 through 2.3. The following summarizes the main features of the reclamation plans for each alternative. Alternative A (No Action) -Topsoil would be stockpiled and saved for redistribution over the disturbed area. This topsoil, plus any supplemental topsoil needed for adequate coverage, would be placed across the disturbed area to a depth adequate for the establishment and continued existence of the native vegetative communities found in the local area. The current permit requires a depth of 6 inches. The site would be seeded for 2 consecutive years after topsoil placement. Seed specifications would adhere to NPS recommendations and would be reviewed and approved by the Superintendent. The operator must monitor and control exotic species and noxious weeds between both seedings and for 2 years after the final seeding. Reclamation activities must commence no later than 6 months following the conclusion of mining and be completed within 2 years of commencement. Alternative B (Proposed Action) -Reclamation procedures would generally follow the same as those listed for Alternative A, but with some additional requirements to ensure that the final appearance of the site blends into the surrounding landscape. The slopes would be graded to achieve an overall slope of 2:1, but the slopes would be steepened or flattened randomly and intermittently to simulate the irregularity of the existing terrain. This would leave irregular ledges, shelves, and plenty of pockets suitable for placement of additional topsoil and vegetation or for use as erosion control drainages. The topsoil or fill would be adjusted to obtain a varying contoured slope, and the top and toe of fill would be rounded to blend with surrounding 19