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Mr. Lockard <br />Page 13 <br />February 1, 2013 <br />6. As required by Rule 6.4.4(1'), please describe the nature, depth and thickness of the deposit to <br />be mined and the thickness and type of overburden to be removed for the area located outside <br />of Surveyor Creek. <br />7. Please specify if the Operator will continue to excavate the bed of Surveyor Creek in the <br />section of the creek that is immediately adjacent to the amended permit area. If so, please <br />specify the depth of the excavation below the current elevation of the creek bed. <br />8. The Operator has stated that topsoil will be salvaged and stockpiled for use in reclamation. <br />Please specify how the topsoil stockpile will be stabilized. If the Operator intends on using <br />vegetation to stabilize the stockpile, then specify the seed mix to be used as PLS /acre. Please <br />note that the topsoil stockpiled may not remain in place longer than one growing season <br />without some measure of stabilization. <br />9. Please clarify if the Operator will utilize the existing access point or if a new access route <br />will be created. If any new haul roads are created they must be included in the affected <br />acreage and depicted on the Mining Plan map. In addition, describe how the material will be <br />transported out of the site. <br />10. Please clarify if any processing will occur onsite. If so, please describe the nature and extent <br />of processing activities. <br />11. Please describe what measures will be taken to minimize disturbances to the hydrologic <br />balance. You should include in your response a brief discussion of how the Operator will <br />prevent stormwater runoff from the upland area from entering Surveyor Creek. <br />12. The Applicant Operator should provide a detailed plan of how the amended area will be <br />mined. In order to minimize impacts to the hydrologic balance the Operator should attempt to <br />maintain a distinct channel for Surveyor Creek. Does the applicant intend on mining through <br />the banks of Surveyor Creek or will a buffer be maintained between the upland excavation <br />and the creek bed? Will mining of the upland area commence at the edge of the creek or will <br />mining start at the edge of the upland area and proceed towards the creek? <br />13. The Division is concerned that mining the upland area north of Surveyor Creek may lead to a <br />stream capture scenario. Currently, when Surveyor Creek is flowing, the water flows due <br />north underneath the railroad tracks and Highway 34 with minimal scouring action on the <br />bridge foundations. If Surveyor Creek were flow through the upland area and bypass the <br />bend that is due south of the bridge, then the water could potentially flow directly into the <br />eastern bridge foundation. This could lead to a significant increase of scour action on the <br />bridge foundation which may affect the structural integrity of the bridge. The'Division <br />recommends establishing a buffer between the east end of the amended area and Surveyor <br />Creek. The possibility of stream capture will be significantly reduced by not mining a 100 ft. <br />strip of land on the east side of the amended area. Please respond. <br />