Laserfiche WebLink
5. The 2.05.4(2)(d) Introduction explains that "a sufficient thickness of suitable backfilled <br />weathered overburden material is replaced as subsoil... and that a minimum of <br />approximately three to four feet of suitable plant growth material, including the available <br />topsoil, exists on the surface of all regraded lands..." The text does not appear to commit <br />the applicant to placement of any specific minimum thickness of topsoil in the upper portion <br />of the "suitable plant growth material ". Please revise this paragraph to be consistent with <br />any topsoil (and subsoil) replacement changes made in response to the Division's adequacy <br />items that follow. <br />Response — The commitments of the applicant to salvage and replace "specific minimum <br />thickness of topsoil" is found on PAP pages 3 and 11 -12 of Section 2.05.4(2)(d). <br />6. The outline used for Section 2.05.4(2)(d) appears to emulate that used for the New Horizon <br />Mine permit. For clarity, please insert the header "Overburden / Spoil Handling Plan" in <br />front of the "New Horizon North Mine Overburden and Interburden Characteristics" <br />subsection on page 1. <br />Response — This correction has been made. <br />7. The first paragraph on page 2 refers to "Appendix 6 -4... Volume A, 1993" of the New <br />Horizon Mine permit for a description of the interburden at NHN. This reference does not <br />appear to be applicable to the existing version of Permit No. C- 1981 -008 — New Horizon <br />Mine. Please include any referenced permit materials within the NHN application. <br />Response — It has been revised to refer to Section 2.04.6 Geology. <br />8. The first complete paragraph on page 3 describes the mine sequence, and states that, <br />"topsoil, subsoil, or mixed" soil will be removed first. The text which follows should be <br />modified to include the possibility that soil will be stockpiled. <br />Response — The text has been modified to include the possibility of soil being stockpiled <br />9. In the sixth line of the first paragraph on page 3, please delete the words, "As described in <br />Small Area Exemptions ". <br />Response — The requested correction has been made. <br />10. The first paragraph of the Regraded Subsoil Backfill Material Monitoring Program <br />subsection (page 4) mentions inspecting for compaction and slippage potential. These <br />problems would seem to be unlikely, if ripping is conducted as described on page 6. Please <br />clarify whether the inspection will be done prior to, or following ripping. The last sentence <br />of this paragraph lists various parameters that will be analyzed. Please include a reference <br />to where in the permit the suitability criteria may be found. <br />Response — The soil suitability criteria are found in Table 2.04.5.4(2)(d) - Criteria for <br />Evaluating Soil Suitability found on PAP page 9 of Section 2.04.5.4(2) (d). <br />11. In the Unsuitable Subsoil Backfill Mitigation Plan (beginning on page 4), item 2 describes <br />scarification measures that will be undertaken when necessary. The list includes ripping and <br />chiseling. The second full paragraph on page 6 states that regraded backfill material will be <br />scarified prior to topsoil placement. These two statements appear to contradict one another; <br />Page 22 <br />