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6) It is stated in the reclamation plan that water seepage will be pumped into storage ponds within the pit area. <br />Please specify where the storage ponds will be located and include their location on the mine plan map. <br />- Response adequate, but please be sure include this information on the revised mine plan map. <br />7) Please clarify the amount of topsoil that will be salvaged at the site and the amount of topsoil that will be <br />replaced in site reclamation. <br />- Please clarify the amount of proposed topsoil to be replaced during reclamation in inches. <br />8) The proposed seed mix includes four species of wheatgrass and Russian Wildrye. Incorporating native grass <br />and shrub species in the seed mix may aid in revegetative success. It is also noted that the water table will <br />be high in certain areas along the proposed pond shoreline, species that'are better suited for saturated areas <br />would aid in overall revegetative success. Species of grass that are suited for shallow water tables include <br />Tufted Hairgrass, Alkali Sacaton, Basin Wildrye and Cicer Milkvetch. Some examples of shrubs that have <br />had success in similar settings as the proposed mine include Big Sagebrush, Rubber Rabbit brush, Fourwing <br />Saltbush and Greasewood. Examples of native grass species include Alkali Sacaton, Inland Saltgrass and <br />Indian Ricegrass. <br />- Response Adequate <br />9) Per Rule 6.4.5 (2)(e), please submit a plan or schedule indicating how and when reclamation will be <br />implemented. Please include an estimate of the periods of time which will be required for the various stages <br />or phases of reclamation; a description of the size and location of each area to be reclaimed during each <br />phase; and an outline of the sequence in which each stage or phase of reclamation will be carried out. <br />- Please provide a reclamation map that clearly represents the mining / reclamation phases. <br />10) Per Rule 6.4.7(c), please describe how water from de-watering operations or from runoff from disturbed <br />areas, piled material, and operating surfaces will be managed to protect against pollution of either surface or <br />groundwater both during and after the operation. <br />- The response submitted states that a sediment control system will be installed, which consists of a 30 <br />foot high berm made of topsoil on the south side of the property to isolate runoff water on and off the <br />site and a 7 foot high topsoil berm to be placed on the east side of the permit area for the same <br />purpose. Per Rule 3.1.9(3), topsoil stockpiles shall be stored in places and configurations to <br />minimize erosion. Please revise your sediment control system to use overburden rather than topsoil. <br />11) Please provide an estimate of the project water requirements including flow rates and annual volumes for <br />the development, mining and reclamation phases of the project. <br />- Response Adequate <br />12) The proximity of the proposed mine expansion to Piceance Creek and White River creates the possibility of <br />stream and/or river capture. Please provide evidence that the pit is not in the 100 year flood plane. Also, <br />please provide a detailed plan of what adequate measures will be used to prevent the pit from capturing <br />White River or Piceance Creek. <br />- The response submitted states that a 7 foot high topsoil berm will be used along the boundaries of the <br />pit to isolate water on and off the property. Per Rule 3.1.9(3), topsoil stockpiles shall be stored in <br />places and configurations to minimize erosion. Please revise your isolation berm to use overburden <br />rather than topsoil. The operator may require authorization from the Army Corps of Engineers prior