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2006 Reclamation Project Summary 2006 Revegetation Project Summary Robinson Tailings Pond and McNulty Gulch Reclamation Climax Mine reclaimed 144.1 acres on Robinson Tailings Pond and the adjacent McNulty Gulch during the 2006 season (Table 1 and Figure 1). The majority of these areas were capped prior to 2006 with waste rock (or acid cover), cirque material from above the pit, E- Dump, brown and dark grey waste rock materials from the pit, and Maroon formation materials from the east side channel excavation. Additional Maroon formation materials were excavated and placed in 2006 during the new pump statioa construction near 10-mile Tailings Pond. Aa additiona18.75 acres were also capped with this Maroon formation mineral soil, and will be reclaimed in 2007. All cap materials were chemically analyzed for pH, fertility, and lime requirements to determine amendments for successfui reclamation. Liming rates were determined by historical and current chemical analysis of the cap materials using Sobek's EPA acid base accounting methodology. Results from the historic analyses of the original waste rock cover and E-Dump materials determined that amendment with 24 tons of agricultural time and 6 tons of quick lime was required on a per acre basis. The cirque material required amendment with 10 tons of agricultural lime and the Maroon, brown and grey materials required no lime amendments. Fertility analysis results detem~ined that 100 pounds per acre of 11-52-0 was required. Both lime and fertilizer were applied prior to seedbed preparation which inmost cases included two-pass ripping to a depth of 6 inches at a 45 degree angle. Organic amendments and seedbed preparation differed in areas with topsoil. The Climax seed mix was broadcast seeded onto the prepared seedbed at 25 bulk pounds per acre in most areas. Robinson Wetland In the center of the Robinson Tailings Pond area, a small pond still stands that will not be completely drained. The regularly wet area extending to the south from this pond was reclaimed as a wetland (Robinson Wetland). The 11.3 acre wetland area was limed as appropriate, aerospread with 45 yards/acre of Class A biosolids, and broadcast seeded with a native wetland species mix developed For Climax Mine at a rate of 25 pure live seeds (PLS) per acre (Table 2). Because most of the wetland area was saturated all season, only a harrow could be used for seedbed preparation. Willow stakes were also used for reclamation in the Robinson Wetland area at the edges of standing water. A total of 485 willow stakes were placed over 038 acres to aid in establishment of wetland shrub species. Along the east bank of the still standing Robinson Tailings pond, a 0.45 acre area was covered with topsoil, root wads, and cut willow pieces removed during the new pump station construction near 10-mile Tailings Pond. This soil was spread along the high water shoreline at a rate of approximated 500 yards per acre over saturated tailings. Given sufficient growing season water the willow pieces should begin to sprout and grow in spring of 2007. 2/26/07