2011-12-01_APPLICATION CORRESPONDENCE - C2010089 (2)

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not believe the referenced research is relevant to the issue of topsoil salvage and replacement for reclaimed pasturelands, and that the three research papers should be removed from the application. While single -lift salvage may be appropriate for the thinner 77PIN, 78PIN, and REC soils, the Division remains unconvinced that salvaging 81PRO and 82PRO soils in a single lift, and mixing them with the other soils, will ensure that the reclamation plan and post mining land use will create a productive irrigated pasture. The requirements of Rule 2.05.5(1) require, "a detailed narrative of the proposed use, following reclamation of the land. In accordance with land use categories established in the narrative, the plan shall include a discussion of the utility and capacity of the reclaimed land to support a variety of alternative uses, and the relationship of the proposed use to existing land use policies and plans." Sub- paragraph (iii) requires an explanation of the consideration which has been given to the landowners' plans and programs. Furthermore, Rule 4.16.1(1) requires that, "the reclaimed lands shall be restored to conditions that are capable of supporting the uses which they were capable of supporting before any mining ". The Division believes the deeper, more productive Progresso soils should be managed separately during topsoil salvage and replacement to ensure that the reclaimed lands, regardless of land use (irrigated or not) throughout the liability period, will be restored to conditions capable of supporting the productive irrigated pasture that existed before mining. Please address how the topsoil salvage and replacement will restore the reclaimed lands to the same productive irrigated pasture conditions as those that existed before mining Response —As per the agreement in the conference call of 3 November 2011, the following text changes will be added in page 12 at the end of the first full paragraph under the section which starts on page 11 entitled Topsoil Stripping. On the Garvey property on the Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture areas corresponding to the more productive Progresso (PRO 81 & PRO 82) soils corresponding to soil polygons 34, 39 and 42, as shown on Map 2.04.3 -1, Land Use Map and Map 2.04.9 -3, Topsoil Salvage Map would be salvaged separately and stockpiled separately from the (78 PIN) soils found in soil polygon 38. In addition, to enhance the potential productively of the proposed Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture (IMIP) reclaimed areas which will be largely located downslope and to the west of the relocated Second Park Lateral ditch, the Progresso (PRO 81) soils currently located in soil polygon 35 east of the Second Park Lateral ditch would be salvaged and reapplied to the proposed area of IMIP proposed to be located on west side and downslope of the relocated ditch. Thus the IMIP reclaimed areas would receive all of the Progresso (PRO 81 and PRO 82) soils salvaged from the current area of IMIP located to the west of the Second Park Lateral ditch as shown on Map 2.04.3 -1, Land Use Map, plus the Progresso. Correspondingly, the area of Pinon soils currently located in soil polygon 38 located to the west of the Second Park Lateral ditch would be salvaged separately and at the time of final reclamation, this topsoil would be applied to the area proposed as Dryland Pasture, located to the east Page 26