2009-08-28_REVISION - M2003024 (3)

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6.4.4 EXHIBIT D-Mining Plan Please elaborate on how the intermittent drainage pathway will be preserved or re-routed to allow unimpeded flow through the site during heavy precipitation events. It would appear that this channel effectively "dead-ends" into the pit at this time(which itself appears to be mined as a closed basin of up to 15-20 feet deep or more). The Division recommends that topsoil stockpiles be seeded and stabilized as soon as possible if that material will be set aside for reclamation, and preferably no longer than 6 months. Please provide a weed control plan that will be implemented to prevent the establishment and spread of noxious weeds on site during mining and reclamation activities. Our intent is not to impede the intermittent drainage way as it flows through the existing Ward Pit or the expanded pit. Because our mining is 15'-20' deep, the final reclaimed pit will actually fill before water flows out and on down the drainage way. To other landowners in the area, this is seen as beneficial because it reduces the rapid flow across their property during periods of heavy rainfall. In the current operation, we have already had this occur. Heavy rainfall has filled our pit area until it flows on down the drainage way. Once flow stops, the remaining water captured in the pit takes about 30 days to soak in and again allow mining to occur. The same scenario would be in place for the expanded pit. We do plan to seed our topsoil stockpiles as soon as possible for stabilization. The county employees a weed manager who oversees control of noxious weeds throughout the county. Should any noxious weeds be identified, he will be called on to spray for control. 6.4.5 EXHIBIT E- Reclamation Plan The final post-mining land use as stated in the application is cropland, but no mention is made as to the final depth of topsoil to be replaced across the site - this information will need to be provided. Will the contours as depicted be too steep to allow typical farming equipment to easily traverse the area if the area is returned to use as cropland? We have a discussion with the landowners, and our Road and Bridge staff regarding the original Ward Pit plan to return the property to cropland when completed. Since the landowner has put the balance of the quarter into the Conservation Reserve program, she agrees that the best reclamation plan may be planting grass for wildlife habitat. We are therefore revising our original plan. The proposed future use should be changed to a wildlife habitat. I have attached a seeding recommendation from the local NRCS. The grass seeding will occur in the fall of the year after the area is properly sloped. Topsoil will be spread and a cover crop established before seeding occurs.