2010-08-10_REVISION - M1977493 (7)

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Permit Amendment (AM -06) — Climax Mine • J -2.2.2 Subalpine Aspen Forest Stands of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) are interspersed among the coniferous forests at Climax, but is the least common vegetation community type in the affected area boundary. Aspen forests cover a total of 16 acres which is only 0.39% of the vegetated area within the affected area boundary. The aspen stands are found mostly on the east - facing slopes west of Mayflower TSF and on the slopes in the Eagle River drainage. The understory of the aspen forest is more densely vegetated than that of the coniferous forests and includes: common juniper (Juniperus communis), gooseberry, dwarf bilberry, big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), tufted hairgrass, and other grasses. J -2.2.3 Subalpine Meadows Subalpine meadows are interspersed between stands of coniferous and aspen forest. Subalpine meadows reside in various topographic positions and are found on slopes as steep as 2H:1 V to completely flat. This community type covers 1,346 acres and therefore comprises approximately 32.69% of the vegetation within the affected area boundary. These relatively flat subalpine meadow plant communities are dominated by grasses such as tufted hairgrass, slender wheatgrass, Rocky Mountain fescue (Festuca saximontana), alpine timothy, and spike trisetum. The common forbs species within the subalpine meadows flat areas include common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), rosy pussytoes (Antennaria rosea), and varileaf cinquefoil (Potentilla diversifolia). The slope subalpine meadow areas are dominated by common juniper, big sagebrush, shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa), gooseberry, and dwarf bilberry. Dominant grasses include tufted hairgrass and slender wheatgrass and dominant forbs include Whipple's penstemon ( Penstemon whippleanus) and tall blacktip ragwort (Senecio atratus). Past mining increased the subalpine meadow community through various mining disturbances. For instance, many stumps remain on slopes in Searle Gulch and McNulty Gulch from historical forest harvesting activities for building materials. The stumps suggest that these slopes were once densely forested, but only scattered and small trees have returned in over 100 years. • J -2.3 Wetland Communities Wetland communities at Climax are primarily found along the Arkansas River, Tenmile Creek, and Eagle River drainages outside the affected area boundary. Small isolated wetlands also exist within the affected area boundary in the alpine and subalpine zones but they are limited in extent. The alpine wetlands are generally dominated by mountain sedge (Carex scopulorum), tufted hairgrass, and planeleaf willow. The subalpine wetlands are dominated by water sedge (Carex aquatilis), Northwest Territory sedge (Carex utriculata), Mertens' rush (Juncus mertensianus), bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis), seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus), tufted hairgrass, dwarf birch (Betula nana), and planeleaf willow. One of the common species in these man - induced hydric communities is common timothy (Phleum pratense) which is one of the dominant species in the Climax seed mix. Water sedge and Northwest Territory sedge have also become established in these areas. Wetland communities at Climax are small and isolated and are not large enough to include on the map presented in this Exhibit (Figure AM- 06- J -01). Disturbance to potential jurisdictional wetland on the property will be addressed with regional Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) representatives as well as DRMS as necessary. Delineation, permitting, and mitigation activities associated with disturbance to jurisdictional wetlands will be coordinated with the ACOE as appropriate. J -2.4 Reclaimed Communities Climax Mine has developed a very successful reclamation program over the past 45 years. Over 1,100 acres of disturbance have been reclaimed using various improved revegetation methods and techniques. Several of these reclaimed areas may be redisturbed by future mining activities (404 acres within the affected area boundary) and are thus classified as interim reclamation, while other areas that will not be redisturbed are classified as final reclamation (632 acres, 15.35% of the affected area boundary). Currently there are several areas that have been capped (covered) for final reclamation, but have not been revegetated (197 acres). These areas are shown as "Capped" on the Vegetation Resources Map (Figure AM- 06- J -01). • Exhibit J J -3 May 2010 (Page Revised August 20 10)