2009-02-23_REVISION - M1988044 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Effect on Reclamation Plans: These changes do not alter the reclamation plan in any significant way. The only effect on those plans results from the more precise definition of the areas mined. All other provisions and requirements contained in the reclamation plans will still apply as originally stated in the permit. Because the areas to be affected are smaller than originally anticipated, the reclamation contours have been adjusted to match the area to be affected, but those adjustments were done utilizing the requirements for grading contained in the plan. In most cases, the final topography only changed slightly. The same topsoiling, revegetation, and water control requirements will be implemented. Effect on Bonding: The amount of affected land included in the existing bond has been reduced somewhat. It is recommended that the existing bond be allowed to continue unchanged. In effect, the operation will be somewhat overbonded with respect to the original cost calculations, but those calculations were done a few years ago and inflation since then would have probably increased the reclamation cost of the original affected land area. However, as the affected land area is reduced, that cost can be applied to account for inflation. As large areas of land have been and are being reclaimed in the current mining area of the previous permit approval, it is likely that bond releases will be sought in the next couple of years. When those releases are sought, a new bond calculation could be done to bring everything up to date. Exhibits Included: Two letters from the State Land Board. One letter contains the details of the agreement and is signed by both the State Land Board and Schmidt Construction. The other letter is to Arapahoe County from the State Land Board to provide them with the details of the agreement to resolve the issues the county had in the special use permit process. 2. The Agreement Features Map. 3. Supplemental Exhibits C-2 and F from the amendment. These show the newly defined areas to be affected in accordance with the Agreement Features Map and any adjustments to the reclamation contours to fit the new areas. This also removes the direction of mining arrows from the original maps. Because of the nature of the deposits being variable and spotty, including a direction of mining is somewhat misleading. With spotty deposits there really can't be an overall direction of mining because mining will occur where the sand occurs and may leave land that does not have adequate or proper sand deposits undisturbed. This is fully described in the mining plan, Exhibit D, but when one reads the plan and then looks at the maps there is a conceptual disconnect. Removal of the arrows provides for more consistency between the mining plan description and the maps. It also needs to be noted, as indicated in the mining plan, that two or more locations in each affected land area may be opened at a time so the wide range of sand products can be provided to the market. Technical Revision - February 2009 M-1988-044 Page 2 of 2