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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />graded overburden suitability monitoring. Specific depth sampling point locations and results will be <br />recorded and reported in the subsequent years Annual Reclamation Report within the Topsoil <br />Volume Inventory section. The topsoil depth verification program is not intended nor should it be <br />used as a topsoil volume verification method as the volume of topsoil will be planned, monitored and <br />verified through load count, time card coding and engineering plan designation of placement of the <br />material on a reclamation unit basis. Overall topsoil balance oversight is performed and reported <br />annually in the Annual Reclamation Report. The overall goal of both the Division and Colowyo is to <br />replace the entire resource in a manner that promotes the likelihood reclaimed areas will meet the <br />success criteria for Phase III Bond Release after the required liability periods and thereby create <br />reclaimed lands that reflect the desired post -mine land use (grazingland and sagebrush steppe). <br />Reapplied topsoil will be left in a rough condition to help control wind and water erosion prior to <br />seeding. In the case of scraper - applied topsoil, dozers usually cross -rip along slope contours at <br />intervals of about 50 -75 feet to provide additional surface roughness. Also, contour furrows are <br />almost always put in place when scrapers are utilized to minimize any sheet flow from the topsoil <br />surface. Due to the specific equipment used for the Sagebrush Steppe areas, topsoil will be left in a <br />more smooth condition to ensure proper seeding depth as described in the text. Any topsoil put into <br />final position with a dozer will by practice be in a state of rough condition. Previous roughening <br />efforts at Colowyo have been extreme, leading to difficulties in placing seed at biologically viable <br />depths. The addition of more contour furrows will reduce sheet flow and moderating the roughness <br />will allow a greater percentage of seed to germinate and provide ground cover that will also alleviate <br />rilling and sediment control issues. As Coloywo transitions into areas of steeper slopes, density of <br />cross ripping will be tightened to increase surface roughness and more contour furrows will be used <br />to break up the slopes and minimize sheet flow conditions and reduce any concentration of flow from <br />rain/snowmelt events. Seedbed preparation, other surface manipulation practices and seeding will be <br />completed primarily during the fall months. Contour furrows, approximately 4 -6 inches deep at the <br />deepest point and 20 -25 inches wide, which have been used on slope areas very successfully during <br />the past several years, will be used to reduce erosion potential, conserve moisture, and maintain site <br />stability until vegetation is sufficiently established. The size of the furrows may be increased if <br />necessary to control erosion, and the distance between the furrows will vary, but will be <br />approximately 10 to 75 feet along the slope. Small rock check dams may also be used where <br />appropriate to aid in control of erosion both prior to seeding and if necessary, after an area has been <br />seeded. <br />Given recent changes to Federal legislation (30 C.F.R. §816.22(d)(1)(i)) as published in the Federal <br />Register (August 30, 2006, - pages 51683 - 51706), mine operators are now allowed to use "non- <br />uniform redistribution of topsoil in their reclamation plan to encourage plant diversity...." Furthermore, <br />the Colorado Division of Wildlife has requested Colowyo replace topsoil in a non - uniform manner as <br />indicated by their statement: (see complete CDOW letter in Section 4.15.8) <br />"DWM Wangnild discussed the possibility of changing reclamation efforts in the new <br />[South Taylor] permit area. Specific changes would ideally be focused on dramatically <br />varying topsoil depths in an effort to mimic natural depths and thus provide more suitable <br />environments for woody species establishment. One example of this would be to create <br />some sites with extremely shallow topsoil designed at reducing grass stand establishment <br />and their resulting competition with shrubs for water and soil nutrients. Another example <br />would be to create other sites with extremely deep topsoil depths. These sites would <br />ideally benefit woody species like aspen and chokecherry." <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.05 -26 Revision Date: 6/11/12 <br />Revision No.: RN -06 <br />