2009-09-22_PERMIT FILE - M2009030

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The pit will be formed by dozing material down to be removed by wheel loader. Sandstone may be broken by ripper, and no blasting is necessary. The pit slopes will be maintained during all mining phases at the same pit slope gradient required for reclamation. The slopes will be 3:1 or gentler; there will not be any steep or vertical highwalls. The applicant proposes to occasionally import various types of inert backfill materials to the permitted area, which may be temporarily stockpiled near the active portion of the pit, but all which will eventually by backfilled into the pit floor. The backfilled materials may be placed in a layer up to about five -feet thick, before being covered by overburden and topsoil. The inert fill may consist of construction debris such as dirt, broken concrete, old asphalt, and minor amounts of wood debris; etc. It may not include hydrocarbons or other contaminants, and no junk equipment or vehicles. The operator may stockpile up to 100 cubic yards of imported backfill materials near the pit; amounts in excess of 100 cubic yards must be placed in the pit, and graded into the floor. The first several acres to be affected by mining activity are clear and do not contain vehicles or equipment. Some construction and farming equipment and materials are presently stored on other portions of the proposed permitted area that will be affected later. The operator must eventually remove these pieces of equipment prior to mining, but they are not to be placed on other portions of the permitted area, and no new non-mining items are to be imported to any portions of the permitted area (as long as the site is actively permitted). The operator proposes to limit mining disturbances to four acres at a time, which includes mining equipment storage, pitrun and product stockpiles, topsoil stockpiles, processing equipment areas, and up to two acres of active area of the pit. The operator may expand the pit and the total affected area beyond four acres, but only if and to the extent that concurrent reclamation has been completed on the affected area. Stormwater will be controlled during mining. The operator will install and maintain sufficient structures to prevent sediment transport to the adjacent drainageways. The operator will describe the extent of the mining activities and weed control efforts in the annual reports. Exhibit D - Reclamation Plan The stockpiled topsoil will all be replaced, at an average depth of about three inches. Replaced topsoil will be seeded promptly, to ensure better revegetation and less weed problems. The revegetation species is crested wheatgrass. It is permissible if rabbitbrush, snakeweed, or other native species from adjacent areas encroaches or populates the permitted area. The operator will describe the extent of reclamation activities in the annual reports. Reclamation bond The operator will post a bond in an amount sufficient to cover the costs of reclaiming all mining-related disturbance on the site. The Division accepts several types of bonds, which are described in Construction Materials Rule 4, and the proper forms for which may be found on the Division's website: www.mining.state.co.us. For further information please contact Ms. Elizabeth Merry at the Division's Denver office (see address and phone in letterhead above). The bond will be based on the costs of hiring a private contractor to perform all necessary reclamation tasks in the approved plan. Differences in the mining plan and reclamation plan may affect the bond amount. If the operator wishes to change any aspect of the mining plan or reclamation plan, please contact this Division so that the permit may be changed and the bond amount recalculated. The bond estimate will be mailed to the operator soon under separate cover, but will include minor pit floor grading, limited backfill material placement in the pit (up to 100 cubic yards), topsoil carry and spreading (sufficient for up to