2011-09-19_REVISION - M1982155 (17)

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Aspect Mining Operation Disturbed Area (acres) A - .• • topsoiled, and • • 2,000 ft x :1 ft 4.0 B Pit bottom to be graded with overburden, topsoiled, and seeded 15.0 C Stockpile areas to be tilled and seeded 11.5 D Roads and other miscellaneous disturbances for grading and seeding 0.5 Total Disturbed Area 31.0 The side slopes of the mine pit will be backfilled, graded to a 3H: 1V slope, and seeded as mining progresses. Approximately 3,000 feet of pit side slopes will be created during mining Since reclamation is anticipated to be concurrent with mining operations, the actual length of side slope requiring backfilling and grading at any point in time is expected to be far less than 3,000 feet. Although the maximum pit depth is estimated to be between 30 and 50 feet, the overall pit depth decreases from north to south and, therefore, the average side slope is expected to be approximately 25 feet high. Once backfilling and grading has been completed in an area, the top of the slope and the side slopes will be seeded as soon as practicable (based on first available seeding season). In order to gain an understanding of the extent of the mining operation, it is helpful to know the acres disturbed by different aspects of the mining operation. Each aspect is listed in the following table with associated disturbed area. The table illustrates a point in time where the mining disturbance could be at its maximum. With such a relatively small site, it is assumed that the mining disturbance will be at its greatest if the pit is mostly mined. During this conservative scenario, no reclamation will have been performed on the active mining face, approximately 500 feet of side slope on both sides of the mining face, and about half of the pit bottom. Topsoil and overburden stockpiles will primarily be kept between the north permit boundary and the northern edge of the mining area. Other stockpile areas will be located along the east and west edges of the mining area. The upper topsoils from the stockpile areas will not be stripped and the stockpiles will be placed on top of these soils. Although this will kill the vegetation living on the stockpile areas, leaving the soils in place will make final revegetation of the stockpile area after the stockpiles are removed easier and more effective. During reclamation, the area will be shallowly harrowed or ripped before planting, but most of the organic matter that is currently there will remain and that will allow a rapid recovery of the stockpile area after removal of the stockpiles and reseeding. Topsoil and overburden stockpiles will be configured to have side - slopes no steeper than 2H: 1V. If the stockpiles are inactive for more than one growing season they will be seeded with the fast growing grass seed mixture below. Fountain Pit M- 1982 -155 DRMS 112 Permit Amendment Page 8