2013-04-05_PERMIT FILE - C1981019 (10)

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RULE z PERMIT Topsoil Removal Plan Prior to any mining related disturbances, topsoil will be removed from the site to be' disturbed as discussed in Section 4.06 and redistributed or stockpiled as necessary to satisfy the needs of the reclamation timetable. Topsoil will be removed in the permit area by large crawler mounted bulldozers, loaders or scrapers as described in Section 2.05.3, Production Methods and Equipment. The sequence and timetable for all topsoil redistribution and revegetation activities is found on the Topsoil Handling Map (Map 28 and 28A). This drawing also shows the location of the topsoil stripping activities for the current term and future terms. A life -of -mine topsoil balance is estimated in Table 2.05 -1, Topsoil Balance As Of December, 2011. The time period during the year when topsoil removal, distribution and revegetation operations take place depends solely on the weather. Generally, topsoil removal and distribution operations will begin in the spring when soil conditions allow the movement of topsoil, and may continue until late fall until weather conditions prohibit any further topsoil handling. Revegetation, typically, will take place during the early spring or fall. The dynamics of the Colowyo operation to prepare regraded areas for topsoil is at times out of sync with the topsoil stripping operation that may vary from 3 inch to 20 foot depths. Typically, the last loads of topsoil hauled into a regraded spoil area will be left in place in a narrow windrow adjacent to the area to be seeded. Since, in the spring of the next year, this is the first topsoil to be respread onto the advancing regraded spoil, the windrow is always left in place for less than one year. The topsoil is protected from wind and water erosion by placement in stable areas and avoidance of drainage bottoms where external erosion might pose a potential threat. The topsoil is left in a rough condition which combined with the natural woody plant material removed with the topsoil successfully controls wind erosion. Due to the temporary nature of the windrows and its function in the yearly direct topsoil haul operation, it is unrealistic to locate them on the Topsoil Handling Maps 28 and 28A. Topsoil in excess of the demands of the direct haul operation to regraded spoil is placed in topsoil storage stockpiles. The topsoil storage stockpiles for the mine plan area are shown on the Topsoil Handling Maps 28 and 28A. As can be seen, topsoil stockpiles have been constructed in the permit area to handle material which is in excess of current redistribution needs. The excess topsoil has been removed from the mining boxcut areas, from haul roads and from mine facility locations. The planned contemporaneous stockpiling and reapplication will eliminate the need to move topsoil stockpiles from one area to another prior to reapplication onto graded spoil. Stockpiles are specifically located to avoid erosion from wind and water and additional compaction or contamination. As can be determined from the Topsoil Handling Map (Map 28), all proposed stockpiles are located within stable areas. The piles will be protected from wind erosion by planting a perennial mixture as explained in Section 4.06.3 as soon as conditions allow. Proper seasons of planting will be early spring or late fall. In addition to the planted material, a considerable amount of volunteer growth can be expected to grow on all stockpiled topsoil. External erosion will be controlled through proper location of the stockpiles. No permanent topsoil stockpiles will be placed in a drainage bottom where external erosion might pose a potential threat. Rule 2 Permits 2.05 -11 Revision Date: 6/11/12 Revision No.: RN -06