2009-08-13_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (4)

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RULE 2 PERMITS , ~_~__~_ ~. ~ _ _~,~ __~-. . _. M r . , ~ . _.. 2.05.4 (1) Reclamation Plan The reclamation objective for the South Taylor area is to restore the mined area to a land use capability which will, be equal to or better than that which currently exists. -The first objectives of all reclamation practices are to stabilize the soils, maintain hydrologic and vegetation resources, and to restore the approximate original contour of the mined azea. Ultimately, the azeas being mined will be returned to their approximate original use as rangeland with watersheds having their approximate pre-mining character. In general, the long term appearance and usefulness of the mine plan area will be similar to that which would have been encountered prior to any mining. The reclamation plan for the existing mining areas provides information relevant to the reclamation of the South Taylor mining area, which can be found in Volume 1, Section 2.05.4. Specific topics requested by the regulations and not incorporated into Volume 1 are included in the following subsections. 2.05.4 (2)(a) Reclamation Timetable The sequence for reclamation following the mining process is shown on Map 29 A. Final reclamation of the South Taylor pit will be delayed, due to the shape, size and depth of the pit; which will result in leaving the majority of the spoil backfilling process until final pit closure. The majority of the spoil will be stacked in the initial boxcut area and associated valley fill azeas, allowing adequate space to perform mining operations in a geotechnically safe environment. Colowyo is attempting to reduce the amount of mining related disturbance that is associated with the mining of the South Taylor pit; this also contributes to the situation of stacking spoil material and delaying reclamation, which minimizes the areas impacted by temporary spoil pile placement and concentrates the active mining activities to the existing disturbance . boundary for South Taylor. Although the final reclamation of the South Taylor will be delayed due to the mining operations in the pit, Colowyo is committed to reclamation in accordance with Rule 4.13 and will perform reclamation activities as contemporaneously as practicable with the South Taylor mining operations. With the limitation of areas available for reclamation prior to fmal pit backfill, Colowyo is proposing to reclaim the out slopes of both valley fills as shown on Map 29 A, prior to final pit closure. It is anticipated that the South Taylor pit will reach a steady state operation in 2012; where as all spoil material produced in the advancing cut will be back-carted into previously mined azeas. In general, it is anticipated that the vast majority of reclamation activities in the South Taylor pit area will begin in the lower elevation areas and progess upslope to the highest elevation areas. This is a matter of practical necessity due to the operational constraints encountered in the area which were also reflected in the hydrological modeling found in Exhibit 7, Item 20. Major departures from this premise will result in the need to revisit the adequacy of the sediment control structures designed and submitted as part of this permit revision. ~J Sou[h TaylodLower Wilson-Rule 2, Page 103 Revision Date: 3/30/07 Revision No.: PR-02