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APR.30 '97 9:46AM DMG,GJCT 1 303 2410336 P.3 <br /> The variability between estimates is due in large part to the <br /> variance in prices which we receive from contractors. Smaller <br /> companies have completed projects for significantly lower costs <br /> than larger companies who carry greater overhead. However, it is <br /> impossible to predict which companies will bid on any specific <br /> project, therefore, the variability in estimated costs exists. If <br /> funding falls short of that needed to accomplish reclamation of the <br /> site to the appropriate standards, the Board should consider all <br /> alternatives to obtain additional funding. <br /> The most costly reclamation task to be accomplished will be <br /> revegetation of the steep slopes below the mine benches and near <br /> the top of the haul roads. I am estimatinq that the cost of <br /> accomplishing revegetation of the approximately 88 steep slope <br /> acres will be $5,000 per acre. This cost includes seed, slope <br /> preparation, hydraulically applied erosion control material and <br /> installation. <br /> PROJECTS AND SCHEDULE <br /> I have tried to prepare a realistic reclamation schedule based upon <br /> various factors, such as available funding, potential for project <br /> success, permit and statutory requirements, and redisturbance of <br /> previously reclaimed areas. <br /> Two of my basic assumptions are. that we need to control costs by <br /> minimizing redisturbance of previously reclaimed areas, a7id that <br /> funding is insufficient to attempt reclamation more than once at <br /> any given site. Therefore, we should not undertake a project until <br /> we are reasonably sure that the potential of achieving success is <br /> high. At this point in time, it is difficult to have a high degree <br /> of confidence in the potential for success at the roads and at the <br /> steep slopes below the mine benches and below the upper portions of <br /> the haul roads. This is because we have not had the opportunity to <br /> fully assess the results of our construction. <br /> We have implemented a reclamation concept which should promote <br /> restoration of pre-mining watershed characteristics along the <br /> northern haul roads. However, success of the project cannot be <br /> measured until the reclaimed roads have weathered one or two spring <br /> snow melts, and until the seed planted in 1996 has had the <br /> opportL,nity to establish itself. Based upon these factors, <br /> modifications may be made to the reclamation concept. In any <br /> event, a one or two year waiting period is necessary to determine <br /> the potential for long term success. No further road reclamation <br /> should be bid until this evaluation is completed. <br /> Similarly, the potential for successfully stabilizing the steep <br /> slopes at the top of the haul roads and below the mine benches <br /> through revegetation cannot be measured for some time. We have <br /> attempted a number of revegetation techniques as tests at some of <br /> the steep slope areas. These tests have been relatively small <br /> scale, and have been only cursorily evaluated. However, given <br /> 2 <br />