Laserfiche WebLink
Colowyo's Response: <br />A closer reading of the sentence will demonstrate that the "average" reference refers to <br />the Sagebrush Steppe areas and the "variable" reference refers to the Grassland areas. <br />This is accurate as the shallow topsoil condition is the goal in the Sagebrush Steppe <br />areas, and attempts to vary depths to a great degree in an area receiving an average of <br />five inches of topsoil could result in conditions dangerous to the seeding equipment. <br />There will be areas of variation within the Sagebrush Steppe area, but all areas will be <br />covered with at least enough topsoil to provide sufficient material to place the seed <br />within that media and protect the seeding equipment from damage. The purpose of <br />including the word "average " in the statement is to recognize the circumstances of the <br />Sagebrush Steppe targeted areas as the desired result is to place a lift offour to six <br />inches of topsoil in order to balance having enough media to support germination and <br />growth but limit competition from grasses and weedy species. The overall purpose of <br />variable topsoil depths is to provide different growing conditions and competition <br />regimes. The difference between three inches and six inches I would argue to be minimal <br />biologically. The difference between five inches and twelve or sixteen I believe we've <br />demonstrated locally at Colowyo. I don't anticipate any grassland targeted areas <br />receiving a uniform average application of topsoil, as it will be targeted on slopes that by <br />definition must have a gradually thicker application from the top to bottom of the slope. <br />4. Colowyo does not have a chart or reference a chart that details its current topsoil <br />balance for the West Pit and the South Taylor Pit (or the East Pit, Section 16 Pit, <br />Gossard Loadout and facilities area). Please either include a current topsoil <br />balance chart for all of the disturbed mine areas or reference the location of the <br />topsoil balance chart in the text. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />Colowyo has been reporting topsoil balance in the Annual Reclamation Report for <br />several years in part so that the permit would not be continually out of date and require <br />constant revision to reflect the current topsoil balance. Colowyo would like to continue <br />to track and modify the balance through this avenue. <br />5. On Page 2.05-47 Colowyo states that "(w)hen necessary to ensure replacement to <br />the required or desired depths, replacement depths will be staked on the regraded <br />spoil." Please describe how Colowyo does, or will, ensure that replacement <br />depths meet the requirements of the approved topsoil replacement plan if the areas <br />are not staked prior to topsoil replacement. This discussion should include areas <br />of both uniform and variable topsoil replacement. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />It is anticipated that on slopes of < 10% it will be safe to strategically place rows of <br />topsoil in a designated pattern to ensure the desired four to six inches of topsoil can be