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proposing to convert irrigated pasture to dryland pasture. WFC must document that the land <br />owner, Stan Garvey, specifically approves of the proposed post mining land use (dryland <br />pasture or irrigated pasture) and reclamation plan as required by Rule 2.05.5(2)(b). <br />Response — The text found in PAP Section 2.05.5 in discussing the proposed post mining <br />land uses clearly identifies the portions of the NHNPermit area where land uses will be <br />changed from historically Irrigated Pasture to Dryland Pasture. Thus, the comment <br />found in the paragraph cited is not in error. To summarize, the possible changes in land <br />use will only occur on the Glasier and Meehan portions of the NHN Permit Area. On <br />the Glasier property, the landowner has transferred his water rights to another property <br />and they are simply not available for WFC to use in the reclamation phase of this <br />project. Tom Meehan, the owner of the Meehan property has similarly requested that his <br />poorly managed irrigated pasture areas be completely reclaimed as Dryland Pasture. <br />These changes are made due to conditions which are beyond WFC's control, making it <br />impossible for them to commit to reclaim these areas as Irrigated Pasture because of <br />conditions imposed by the Landowners. <br />The DRMS must recognize that as is allowed by the NH2 Mine permit, and as they have <br />recommended regarding the proposed NHN Mine Permit area, all areas reclaimed as <br />Dryland Pasture, will have all of the available topsoil removed and the rocks removed <br />from these sites so if a future landowner obtains water sufficient to irrigate these areas <br />then they can. WFC believes that this commitment clearly makes their reclamation plan <br />compatible with the requirements of Rule 4.16, which requires that these lands will be <br />reclaimed to conditions "capable of supporting the uses which they were capable of <br />supporting before any mining ... " <br />With respect to the DRMS suggesting that WFC is proposing to convert "Irrigated <br />Pasture to Dryland Pasture, on the Garvey property, this interpretation is contrary to the <br />narrative which clearly states that changes in land use from Irrigated Pasture to Dryland <br />Pasture will only occur on the Glasier and Meehan Properties. Map 2.05.5 -1, New <br />Horizon North Mine - Postmining Land Use Map must be consulted, which clearly <br />shows what changes of land use will occur on what ownership parcel. Examination of <br />this map clearly shows that on the Garvey Property, none of their lands will be converted <br />from Irrigated Pasture to Dryland Pasture. Examination of this map shows that there <br />are five specific areas where the land use on the Garvey Property will be changed and <br />nowhere is there any change proposed to convert Irrigated Pasture to Dryland Pasture. <br />Instead, on the Garvey Property there is a pronounced trend to increase the amount of <br />Irrigated Pasture. This is being done at the request of the landowner and can be <br />accomplished because they have water to accommodate this proposed land use change. <br />WFC submits that the reclamation plan proposed for the NHN Mine will reclaim all <br />lands disturbed by mining to uses which are at least equal to or greater than the <br />capability uses of these lands before they have been disturbed by mining. Therefore, the <br />demonstration required by Rule 4.16 has been satisfied <br />Page 30 <br />