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h F RECLAMATION PLAN In this text, the term reclamation will be used to refer to the construction of topographic, soil, and plant conditions after mining, which may not be identical to the pre-mining conditions, but which permits the disturbed land (soil) to function adequately in the ecosystem of which it was ._. and is a part. The general reclamation concept for the project calls for agricultural re-use. It is possible that the selective mining of coarser texture fragments may improve the surface texture, structure, and tillability of the soils. However, there is no conclusive information available to confirm that reconstructed soils would be equivalent to prime agricultural soils. There is limited research to assess the effects of long-term stockpiling of agricultural topsoil on the establishment of a sustainable vegetative cover. Due to the lath of documentation, the productivity of the reconstructed soil shall be evaluated by a program of soil testing and plant monitoring. To ensure the soils are restored to optimum, practical, agricultural productivity, the reclamation plan and monitoring program will be prepared under the guidance of an agronomist or soil scientist certified by ARCPACS: A Federation of Certifying Boards in Agriculture, Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences. RECLAMATION ALTERNATIVE A TF This alternative reclamation plan will test the feasibility of reclaiming soil material that remains after selective mining of aggregates from the upper part of the soil profile (the solum). This soil F material will be referred to as pond sediments hereafter. A study to test the feasibility of this reclamation alternative will begin well in advance of the start of mining The study will be F designed to determine whether or not the pond sediments can be reclaimed to a level of 77. productivity comparable to either the surface soil alone (Ap horizon) or the combination of the Ap and AB horizons prior to mining. Test plots of sufficient size will be established on existing dry pond sediments produced from current mining operations. Similar test plots will also be established on tl a existing Zacharias gravelly clay loam soil. This soil is the dominant soil in the project and is designated as prime farmland where irrigated. This alternative reclamation plan and the test plots will be supervised by a certified professional agronomist or soil scientist. A The existing pond sediments are considered to be similar to the pond sediments that will be produced during mining of the proposed expansion. Water is used to wash the soil matrix from the aggregate. The soil laden water is placed in ponds where the soil settles from the water and forms sediments on the bottom of the pond. Eventually these sediments can be incorporated into _ the reclamation process. Analytical results indicate the pond sediments can be characterized as soils of moderate to low fertility. Concentrations of nitrogen, sulfur, zinc, manganese, iron, and capper are low to very low. Phosphorus and potassium are moderate. Magnesium and calcium are high to very high. Sodium and soluble salts are low. Boron is high, but within the range suitable for most crops. F6 Report Rev.2-0620.95 � AGRO ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ■ A Division of Condor Earth Technologies, Inc. � k Condor