2009-12-30_PERMIT FILE - M2009082

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10.) Please commit to re- spreading all the topsoil over the required areas salvaged during the mining operation. All topsoil available at the site must be salvaged and re- spread for reclamation. 11.) Page E -3 of the reclamation plan indicates how the mine slopes around the ground water ponds will be graded, however it does not indicate what the horizontal to vertical ratio will be for the reclaimed pit slopes for the "upland" and "wetland" areas. Please indicate how the side slopes will be graded for the "upland" areas and the "wetland" areas. 12.) The mining plan indicates the existing ground water level is 5 -15 feet below the natural ground level. Many of the reclaimed "upland" pit floors are about 20 -25 feet below the pre- mining elevation. Given the bottom of these upland basins will be below the reported ground water level it would appear these excavations would become ground water ponds, not upland areas. Please clarify. 13.) It states on Page E -3 of the reclamation plan Lafarge will concurrently reclaim mine walls where mining has been completed according to the phases outline in the Mining Plan. Please provide more detail as to when reclamation will begin for each phase of the operation, prior to initiating mining in the next phase. For example, will the Operator completely mine Phase 113 and 1C with nearly vertical highwalls without initiating reclamation until both phases are mined completely? Or, will re- grading, top - soiling, and seeding be initiated once the disturbed area reaches a certain size and the highwall a certain length? If so, please indicate those amounts. 14.) In order to calculate the Financial Warranty, what will be the maximum length of the highwall at any given time during the mining operation? 15.) For the upland areas, will mulch be applied to the graded and topsoiled surfaces? If so, how many tons per acre will be applied and will the mulch be secured to the soil through crimping or other methods? Weed free straw mulch crimped into the soil helps stabilize the soils from wind and water erosion, and also provides cover for the newly planted seeds. 6.4.6 EXHIBIT F — Reclamation Plan Map 16.) On the Reclamation Plan Maps, there are several berms left in place. One is adjacent to the Phase 2 open water pond, and another is located north of the Phase 2 pond adjacent to the location of Overburden Stockpile A as depicted on the mining plan map. It appears these stockpiles will be constructed with topsoil. According to the Mining Plan (Page D3), no permanent stockpiles will be located at the site. Also, all the topsoil salvaged during the mining process must be re- spread over designated disturbed areas for reclamation. These "berms" should not exist at the end of reclamation, please remove them from the reclamation plan map.