2011-12-22_REVISION - M1982155 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Reclamation Plan Introduction and Overview Final Proposed Land Use General Overview of the 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. 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. 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. Reclamation of the proposed amendment area is fairly straightforward. The reclamation plan ties side slopes and the pit floor into reclamation of the existing Fountain Pit permit area (see Exhibit F -1, Reclamation Plan Map). 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. However, only during final reclamation will the mine pit area be graded and stabilized to allow surface drainage off of the permit area. During most of the mining and reclamation period, stormwater from the pit will not flow off of the permit area. At all times, the appropriate stormwater discharge permit will be obtained from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the associated monitoring and stormwater management plan will be followed for surface water discharges. The topsoil and overburden stockpile areas will be loosened after removal of the stockpiles and seeded. Mine pit side slopes will be created from "cut and fill" so as to preserve overburden for use in establishing a plant growth medium during 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 Revised in Response to Adequacy Review Comments Page 11