2011-09-19_REVISION - M1982155 (17)

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Reclamation Plan EXHIBIT E This plan covers only the amendment area. No changes to the existing plan for those portions of the Fountain Pit permit east of Charter Oak Ranch Road are made as a result of this plan. Introduction and Overview As described before, the use of topsoil and overburden in the reclamation of this pit is critical to successful revegetation. As has been found at the current Fountain Pit and elsewhere, when loamy fines are placed on top of the mined out substrate growth can be excellent. The coarse material under the loamy top dressing and the clayey bedrock can act as a reservoir for moisture that is protected from evaporation by the loamy topsoil and overburden. This makes stored subsurface moisture available for plant growth. Final Proposed Land Use The use of this land is not expected to change. It will remain as rangeland after reclamation. Most of the land surrounding this amendment has similar uses. There has been some progressive development further to the east near the I -25 corridor, but no plans exist to expand more developed uses to surrounding lands. The land to the north and west, although used for military training, is generally rangeland and open space. With so much open, undeveloped land in the surrounding area, maintaining this land as rangeland is consistent with the more regional land uses. General Overview of the Reclamation Plan Reclamation of the proposed amendment area is fairly straightforward. Since two separate options are included for mining, the reclamation plan will change slightly depending upon the mining plan followed. One reclamation plan includes side slopes and a pit bottom separate from the existing mining operation (see Exhibit F -1, Reclamation Plan Map — Option 1) and the other reclamation plan ties side slopes and the pit floor into reclamation of the existing Fountain Pit permit area (see Exhibit F -2, Reclamation Plan Map — Option 2). For either reclamation option, much of the pit, after mining, will be occupied by a gentle southward trending slope on the pit floor. This pit floor will be blended into the Rock Creek valley and drainage will be connected to existing drainages on the valley floor. The topsoil and overburden stockpile areas will be loosened after removal of the stockpiles and seeded. Mine pit side slopes will be created from backfill with overburden and, if necessary, a combination of "cut and fill" so as to preserve overburden for use in establishing a plant growth medium elsewhere in the reclamation. Revegetation will generate a blend of native and introduced species and, given suitable precipitation, should produce good vegetation cover over much of the reclaimed site. The hotter and drier south and west facing pit side slopes will have more difficulty establishing good growth. Fountain Pit M- 1982 -155 DRMS 112 Permit Amendment Page 11