Laserfiche WebLink
I10 Permit Application Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety <br />RECLAMATION PLAN - EXHIBIT D <br />BDM has prepared responses to each of the review standards in Section 6.3.4 in the <br />Construction Material Rules and Regulations. The review standard is stated followed by BDM's <br />response. <br />(1) Rule: The purpose of the Reclamation Plan is to describe the timing, procedures, criteria and <br />materials that will be used to reclaim the affected land to the proposed future land use. This plan <br />must be correlated to Exhibit E - Map. The description of the Reclamation Plan must be <br />adequate to satisfy the requirements of Section 3.1 and demonstrate compliance with Rule 3. At <br />a minimum, the Application shall include the following information: <br />(A) Rule: specify at what point in the mining plan and to what depth(s) overburden will be <br />replaced in relation to ongoing extraction. <br />Response: No overburden is anticipated to be generated during the mining other than <br />topsoil suitable for the revegetation of portions of the permit area. While not anticipated <br />to be generated, waste rock if generated, would be stockpiled adjacent to the topsoil <br />stockpile and during reclamation would be graded in along the toe of the cut face to <br />moderate the transition between the pit bottom and the cut face. <br />(B) Rule: specify the maximum gradient of reclaimed slopes (horizontal:vertical). If the <br />Application proposes slopes steeper than 3:1, the Operator/Applicant must include a <br />justification that supports steeper slopes for the proposed post-mining land use, and <br />demonstrates compliance with the applicable performance standards of Section 3.1. <br />Response: The pit bottom (Exhibit E) will be graded to a slope of 8:1. The slope in this <br />area will be kept shallow to enhance the potential for the limited available topsoil to <br />successfully establish vegetation and to minimize erosion. The cut face or highwall is <br />proposed to be left at a final slope of 1.2:1. A four to six foot wide bench will be <br />constructed across the face of the highwall to break the slope into upper and lower 20 to <br />25 foot sections to increase the stability and safety of the remaining slope. A shallower <br />slope is not being proposed due to the lack of overburden needed to backfill and lessen <br />the slope and the technical infeasibility of laying back the slope by excavating further into <br />to the hillside. The final highwall will be comprised of competent bedrock with relatively <br />flat lying bedding that will be scaled to remove loose rocks, resulting in a stable slope <br />that is relatively resistant to erosion. <br />(C) Rule: specify the measures that will be taken to revegetate the site. <br />(i) Rule: state the thickness of plant growth medium to be replaced. Sample and <br />analyze available soils sufficiently to establish quantity and quality. <br />Response: Salvagable plant growth medium is limited at the site due to previous <br />disturbance of the proposed pit area. Approximately 1,200 square feet of topsoil <br />is present on the south end of the pit. This is the approximate extent of new <br />disturbance at the pit. Following mining, the salvaged soil will be placed at the <br />toe of the highwall, excepting any topsoil windrowed around the margins of the <br />pit highwall. The placement of the topsoil at the toe of the highwall will occur in a <br />6 inch lift. The location of the topsoil placement is believed to provide the best <br />chance for success in the re-establishment of vegetation and minimizing erosion. <br />Tetra Tech April 2008 (May 2008 Application Amendment Page) 12