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dozed into position. If a dozer operator doesn't do this properly, he won't have enough <br />material to cover the entire area and it will be obvious what has occurred. Depth control <br />on the Sagebrush Steppe areas will be verified as the project progresses and any <br />deviations from the plan will be rectified at that time. Depth readings will also betaken <br />after the area has been completely topsoiled, sufficient to ensure that Colowyo can <br />demonstrate compliance with the plan. Even if scrapers are used to initially lay topsoil <br />down, it is anticipated that some dozer work will be needed to do the finish work. The <br />required volume of material will be at/on the location. Verification work will lead to <br />additional dozer/scraper work if necessary to ensure proper final placement. <br />On areas of > 10% slope it is anticipated that dozers will work together with scrapers to <br />accomplish a gradually thicker application of topsoil on these slopes. As Colowyo has <br />always done, depth stakes at regular intervals will provide guidance to the operators. <br />Depth readings will be taken while the operations are progressing and any issues will be <br />rectified at that time. Depth readings will also be taken after the area has been <br />completely topsoiled, sufficient to ensure that Colowyo can demonstrate compliance with <br />the plan. The allocated volume of topsoil for each area (total volume based on area <br />multiplied by either 8 or 19.5 inches) will be hauled to the location, most likely with haul <br />trucks and scrapers as close as safely possible to the final intended location, then dozed <br />into place or placed via scrapers. Verification work will lead to additional dozer/scraper <br />work if necessary to ensure proper final placement. <br />6. Colowyo has committed to include a verification of the variable topsoil <br />replacement depths in the Annual Reclamation Report. On Page 2.05-47 <br />Colowyo states "(i)t will consist of logical transects... that are sufficient to <br />demonstrate variable topsoil depths..." Please include a description of the length <br />and frequency of the transects within a given reclamation block and please <br />provide a generalized diagram of the transects within a reclamation block. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />Colowyo will report depth readings and locations in the Annual Reclamation Report for <br />each reclamation unit. The length and frequency of transects within a given reclamation <br />block will be dependent on the size, orientation, and location of the block itself. Jim <br />Stark will be able to review the locations measured at any time after the topsoil has been <br />placed should the Division wish him to do so. Colowyo will not construct contour ditches <br />and seed an area until we are confident that the Division will be satisfied we have <br />properly managed the topsoil resource. <br />7. On Page 2.05-47 Colowyo proposes to provide a specific plan for the following <br />year's reclamation in the preceding year's Annual Reclamation Report (for <br />example, the specific details of the 2010 reclamation would be contained in the <br />2009 Annual Reclamation Report). The Division does not agree with this <br />approach. The purpose of the Annual Reclamation Report, as stated in Rule <br />2.04.13, is to document reclamation activities for the previous year. The Annual <br />Reclamation Report is not intended as a means to propose plans for future