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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220222_ADI_ResponseNORTH CAROLINA MINING PERMIT APPLICATION State of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources RECEIVED FEB y 2022 NC GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 1612 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612 (919) 707-9220 Revised: 2017 NOTE: It is recommended that you contact the appropriate Regional Office (see Regional Office listing in the back of this booklet) or the Raleigh Central Office for a PRE -APPLICATION MEETING to discuss your intentions and address any questions. MINING PERMIT APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS FLOWCHART BEGINNING OF PROCESS Application received by State Mining Specialist Applicant issues Public Notice Application assigned to Assistant State Mining Specialist Assistant State Mining Specialist/Program Secretary routes application for review and comment - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - N. C. Geological Survey - Wildlife Resources Commission - Division of Water Resources - Division of Archives & History - Division of Parks & Recreation - Others as appropriate *All application review comments forwarded to Assistant State Mining Specialist Is application complete? If "YES", Assistant State Mining Specialist drafts the proposed permit action - Regional Office - Division of Air Quality - Division of Water Resources Review Public Comments; Public Hearing Possible If "NO", Assistant State Mining Specialist drafts a letter requesting additional information from applicant Additional information from applicant received and routed to/reviewed by Assistant State Mining Specialist and Regional Office Staff (go to * ) Application & proposed permit action reviewed by State Mining Specialist Is application & proposed permit action complete/acceptable?? If "Yes", the following permit actions are issued by the State Mining Specialist: - Draft Permits - Permit Transfers/Name Changes - Bond Substitutions/Cancellations - Permit Releases - High Airblast Remediation Plans - Non -controversial New Permits - - Small, Non -controversial Modifications END OF PROCESS If "YES", application & proposed permit action forwarded to and reviewed by Division Director Is application & proposed permit action complete/acceptable?? If "YES", the proposed permit action is issued by the Division Director END OF PROCESS If "No", application & proposed permit action returned to Assistant State Mining Specialist for revision (go to * ) For other permit actions, if "Yes", application & proposed permit action forwarded to and reviewed by Mining Specialist Is application & proposed permit action complete/ acceptable?? If "NO", application & proposed permit action returned to State Mining Specialist/ Assistant State Mining Specialist for revision (go to * ) If "NO", application & proposed permit action returned to Section Chief/State Mining Specialist for revision (go to * ) APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE) Name of Mine Hood Creek Soils County: Caldwcll River Basin: Catawba Latitude (decimal degrees to four places) 35.9208 Longitude (decimal degrees to four places) 81.5736 2. Name of Applicant* Hood Creek Soils Company, LLC 3. Permanent address for receipt of official mail** 205 Walnut Street, Statesville, NC 28677 Telephone (704) 464-6800 Alternate No. (919) 650-8353 4. Mine Office Address 205 Walnut Street, Statesville, NC 28677 Telephone (704) 464-6800 5. Mine Manager Raymond Hoffman 6. E-mail Address: rhoffman(a,hna-enaineerine.com I certify that all details contained in this Permit Application are true and correct to the best of our knowledge. We fully understand that any willful misrepresentation of facts will be cause for permit revocation. February 18, 2022 Title Member, Mine Manager This will be the name that the mining permit will be issued to and the name that must be indicated on the reclamation bond (security) that corresponds to this site. ** The Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources must be notified of any changes in the permanent address or telephone number. *** Signature of company officer required. G.S. 74-51 provides that the Department shall grant or deny an application for a permit within 60 days of receipt of a complete application or, if a public hearing is held, within 30 days following the hearing and the filing of any supplemental information required by the Department. All questions must be addressed and all required maps provided before this application can be considered complete. Attach additional sheets as needed. DOOM APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT NOTE: All of the following questions must be thoroughly answered regarding your mining operation for the intended life of the mine. All responses must be clearly conveyed on a corresponding, detailed mine map. A. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MINE 1. Answer all of the following that apply: /1 701 n If this is an application for a NEW permit, indicate the total acreage at the site to be covered by the permit (this is the acreage that the "new permit" fee will be based upon): 59.0 Of this acreage, how much is owned and how much is leased? Acres owned: 59.0 Acres leased: Property owner if leased: If this is an application for a MODIFICATION to a mining permit, number and the total (overall) acreage covered by the existing permit. Mining Permit No.: Total permitted acreage: indicate the mining permit Does the modification involve acreage within the previously approved permitted boundary? Yes ❑ No ❑. If yes, indicate the acreage to be covered by this modification (this is the acreage that the "major modification" fee will be based upon): Does the modification involve acreage outside the previously approved permitted boundary? Yes ❑ No ❑. If yes, indicate the additional acreage to be covered by this modification: . (NOTE: you must complete all of Section F. of this application form entitled Notification of Adjoining Landowners). Of this acreage to be added to the permit, will any portion of this acreage be affected (i.e.: disturbed, ground cover removed) by the mining operation? Yes ❑ No ❑ (If no, a "minor modification" fee of $100.00 is required, despite the "undisturbed" acreage to be added). If yes, indicate the acreage to be affected within the acreage to be added to the permit (the total acreage to be added to the permit is the acreage that the "major modification" fee will be based upon): If this is an application for TRANSFER of a mining permit, indicate the mining permit number and the total (overall) acreage covered by the existing permit. Mining Permit No.: Total permitted acreage: SEE THE FEE SCHEDULE AT THE END OF THIS FORM FOR THE PROPER FEE AMOUNT TO BE PAID FOR THE REQUESTED PERMIT ACTIONS) AND CORRESPONDING ACREAGE NOTED ABOVE 2. Name of all materials mined: Soils and rock 3. Mining method: Hydraulic Dredge Front-end Loader & Truck ® Shovel & Truck Dragline & Truck Self -loading Scraper Other (explain): 4. a. Expected maximum depth of mine (feet) 20 feet — 75 ft Depth is relative to what benchmark? (e.g., natural ground level, mean sea level, road elevation, etc.) original ground elevations b. Expected average depth of mine (feet) 20 feet (following original grade) 5. Has any area(s) at this site been mined in the past? Yes ® No ❑ If yes, when and by whom was this activity conducted? Approx. 2017 by previous property owner's contractor -3- APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT 6. Number of years for which the permit is requested (Life of the Mining Operation or Life of Lease from Public Entity): Life of the Mining Operation B. MAPS Clearly mark and label the location of your mining operation on six (6) copies of a 7.5-minute quadrangle and a county highway map. These maps, in addition to six (6) copies of all mine maps and reclamation maps, must be submitted with each permit application. 7.5-minute quadrangles may be obtained from the N.C. Geological Survey: Mailing Address: Physical Address: 1612 Mail Service Center OR 512 North Salisbury Street, 5`h Floor Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1612 Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 (919)733-2423 httD:HDortal.ncdenr.org/web/Ir/geological home County highway maps may be obtained from the N.C. Department of Transportation: North Carolina Department of Transportation — Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mailing Address: NCDOT GIS Unit 1587 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1587 Physical Address: NCDOT GIS Unit 3401 Carl Sandburg Court Raleigh, North Carolina 27610 (919)212-6000 ht!p://www.ncdot.org/it/gis/ 2. Mine maps must be accurate and appropriately scaled drawings, aerial photographs or enlarged topographic maps of the entire mine site. All aspects of the mine site must be clearly labeled on the maps along with their corresponding (approximate) acreage. Thus, all mine and reclamation maps must denote those activities that are intended to be conducted during the life of the mining permit. All maps must be of a scale sufficient (see minimum requirements listed below) to clearly illustrate the following, at a minimum: a. Property lines of the tract or tracts of land on which the proposed mining activity is to be located including easements and rights -of -way. b. Existing or proposed permit boundaries. c. Initial and ultimate limits of clearing and grading. d. Outline and width of all buffer zones (both undisturbed and unexcavated). e. Outline and acreage of all pits/excavations. f. Outline and acreage of all stockpile areas. g. Outline and acreage of all temporary and/or permanent overburden disposal areas. h. Location and acreage of all processing plants (processing plants may be described as to location and distance from mine if sufficiently far removed). i. Locations and names of all streams, rivers and lakes. j. Outline and acreage of all settling and/or processing wastewater ponds. k. Location and acreage of all planned and existing access roads and on -site haul roads. 1. Location of planned and existing on -site buildings. m. Location and dimensions of all proposed sediment and erosion control measures. n. Location of 100-year floodplain limits and wetland boundaries. o. Names of owners of record, both public and private, of all tracts of land that are adjoining the mining permit boundary; if an adjoining tract is owned or leased by the applicant or is owned by the lessor of the mine tract, names of owners of record of tracts adjoining these tracts, that are within 1,000 feet of the mining permit boundary, must be provided on the mine map. APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT p. Names of owners of record, both public and private, of all tracts of land that are adjoining the mining permit boundary which lie directly across and are contiguous to any highway, creek, stream, river, or other watercourse, railroad track, or utility or other public right-of-way. If an adjoining tract is owned or leased by the applicant or is owned by the lessor of the mine tract, names of owners of record of tracts adjoining these tracts, that are within 1,000 feet of the mining permit boundary, must be provided on the mine map(s). NOTE: "Highway" means a road that has four lanes of travel or less and is not designated as an Interstate Highway. q. Map legend: 1. Name of applicant 2. Name of mine 3. North arrow 4. County 5. Scale 6. Symbols used and corresponding names 7. Date prepared and revised 8. Name and title of person preparing map Map scales should meet the following guidelines: PERMITTED ACREAGE MAP SCALE 0-49 Acres 1 inch = 50 feet 50-199 Acres 1 inch = 100 feet 200+ Acres 1 inch = 200 feet (NOTE: Smaller scaled maps may be acceptable if they clearly illustrate the above items) -5- APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT A table/chart must be provided on the mine map that clearly lists the approximate acreage of tailings/sediment ponds, stockpiles, wastepiles, processing area/haul roads, mine excavation and any other major aspect of the mining operation that is proposed to be affected/disturbed during the life of the mining permit. A table/chart similar to the following will be acceptable: CATEGORY AFFECTED ACREAGE Tailings/Sediment Ponds 0.67 Stockpiles 0.0 Wastepiles 0.0 Processing Area/Haul Roads 2.17 Mine Excavation 24.0 Other (Explain) Total Disturbed Acreage 24.0 NOTE: IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, THE MAPS MUST ALSO INCLUDE ANY SITE -SPECIFIC INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED IN THE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN THIS APPLICATION FORM (PLEASE NOTE THE ITALICIZED QUESTIONS/STATEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE FORM). THIS APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE WITHOUT ALL RELEVANT ITEMS BEING ADEQUATELY ADDRESSED ON THE MINE MAPS. sm APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT C. PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES 1. Describe in detail the sequence of events for the development and operation of the mine and reference the sequence to the mine map(s). Attach additional sheets as needed. Test pits will be excavated and soil samples collected to locate pockets of clay liner material. Surveyor will stake out limits of disturbance for Areas 1, 2, 3 and 4 and locations for sediment fence, sediment basins and storm conveyance channels. Erosion control measures will be installed with sediment fence first then initial sediment basin/traps for area(s) to be disturbed. Sediment fence will be placed outside of the stream buffer and will also be placed around and closer to the disturbance area. Clay materials will be our main product for use in landfill cell liner construction projects (off -site). Topsoil will be temporarily stockpiled near the excavated areas and will be spread to encourage vegetation establishment. A temporary stockpile location is shown on Sheet 5 of 12 at the northern limits of excavation. Limits of disturbance are well within the property buffers and have also been set for the 300-ft buffer for off -site structures. Only two (2) off -site structures meet the 300-foot buffer criteria as shown on Sheet 3 of 12. Access driveway permit #D 1-12-014-21-00002, received from NCDOT, May 2021, will be the main point of access onto Hoods Creek Road with interior access roads to the top deck area to be graded in. Road fabric and stone topping will be placed in areas with regular truck traffic. Driveway area will be concrete paved up to 50-ft into the property. A second road will be graded in, approximately halfway up the slope, elevation 1160, and will have side ditches to convey stormwater into any of the (4) sediment basins. Additional roads may be required to access areas with clay as they are found. A parking area and office location will be established near this entrance as shown on Sheet 5. This work will be completed first to help get trucks and other equipment into the site. Disturbed areas will be limited to less than 5-acres at a time and will be vegetated when soil removal operations are complete. Some excavations may be used as temporary sediment traps or will remain as part of the overall reclamation plan for reforestation. Stockpiled topsoil will be distributed to support vegetative growth. Area 1 was excavated by the previous property owner. Entire areas 1-4 were timbered by previous owner also. Our operation will begin excavation within Areas 2 and 3 and by constructing the main access road to the top of the hill. Construction of sediment basin #2/outfall 2, to be established at base of the drainage areas 2 and 3. Additional sediment traps will be created closer to each borrow location (as part of the clay soil removal process). Topsoil will be stripped and stockpiled with sediment fence placed around the perimeter. Bermed channels and sediment traps will be constructed close to the disturbed areas to prevent stormwater from running across disturbed areas and to guide water that passes over the disturbed area to down -drain pipes and into the sediment basin prior to discharge (not shown on the drawings). The main access and side access road will have stormwater conveyance channels on both sides to convey any stormwater to one of the constructed sediment basins. Clay soils will be excavated down to bedrock (approximately 10-15 feet) and stockpiled or direct hauled off -site. Excavated pits will be graded with 3:1 or 4:1 slopes with the lowest elevation end to be kept open to allow drainage. Structural fill soils will be stockpiled for removal from the site. Rock will also be produced as part of this operation to maintain grades and for off -site and on -site projects. Topsoil will be spread over disturbed areas to promote re-establishing vegetation. Likely 1-5 years to complete soil excavations within this Area. Area 4 will be next and will be developed in the same method as Areas 2 and 3 described above. Area 1, likely has had all of its' clay soil material removed by the previous property owner. Further investigation into this area will be necessary. Currently this area is vegetated and has a sediment trap and berms in place. IWr APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT 2. Describe specific erosion control measures to be installed prior to land disturbing activities and during mining to prevent offsite sedimentation (include specific plans for sediment and erosion control for mine excavation(s), waste piles, access/mine roads and process areas), and give a detailed sequence of installation and schedule for maintenance of the measures. Locate and label all sediment and erosion control measures on the mine maps) and provide typical cross-sections/construction details of* each measure. Engineering designs and calculations are required to justify the adequacy of any proposed measures. Sediment fence will be installed on the Northern edge of the Greasy Creek, 50-ft stream buffer and around identified areas where clay deposits are identified within Areas 1-4 that will be excavated first. Stockpile areas will also be surrounded with sediment fence and will be temporarily vegetated when soil excavation is complete. We do not intend to build large stockpiles of materials and will move clay and structural fill materials off -site as needed or required by the off -site landfill facility. Drainage ditches along the interior mine roads will direct flows to 1 of 4 sediment basins. One sediment basin has been designed for each of the 4 drainage areas to be disturbed. Additional sediment traps may be constructed closer to the disturbance areas and excavated clay pit areas may be utilized as traps for convenience and as an additional layer of protection (BMP). Weekly inspections of E&S controls will occur with documentation and after every 0.5" rain event. Onsite equipment will be able to clean out accumulated sediments from ditches, traps and basins as needed. Vegetation will be re-established immediately after final excavation and replacement of topsoil is finished. If an area has not reached final grade but will not see additional activity within a 30-day period, the area will be stabilized using a temporary grass mix and blown straw or single -net matting. Access roads will have water berms installed as needed, or will be graded to direct water from the road and into the adjacent stormwater conveyance channel. Roadside channels will have rock check dams added every 50-ft to slow the velocity of water. 3. a. Will the operation involve washing the material mined, recycling process water, or other wastewater handling? Yes ❑ No Z. If yes, briefly describe all such processes including any chemicals to be used. b. Will the operation involve discharging fresh or wastewater from the mine or plant as a point discharge to the waters of the State? Yes ❑ No ®. If yes, briefly describe the nature of the discharge and locate all proposed discharge points (along with their method of stabilization) on your mine map(s). c. Will any part of the proposed mine excavation(s) extend below the water table? Yes ❑ No ®. If yes, do you intend to dewater the excavation(s)? Yes ❑ No ❑. If yes, what impact, if any, will mine dewatering have on neighboring wells? Estimated withdrawal rate in gallons per day: . Locate all existing wells on the mine maps) that lie within 500 feet of the proposed excavation area. Provide data to support any conclusions or statements made, including any monitoring well data, well construction data and current water withdrawal rates. Indicate whether the proposed mine locale is served by a public water system or private wells. d. If you answered yes to any of the above questions, provide evidence that you have applied for or obtained the appropriate water quality permit(s) (i.e., non -discharge, NPDES, Stormwater, etc.) from the Stormwater Program. In addition, the applicant is required to register water use with the Division of Water Resources, Ground Water Management Branch, if the operation withdraws more than 10,000 gallons per day and needs a capacity use permit from the Division of Water Resources, Ground Water Management Branch, if the operation lies in a capacity use area and withdraws more than 100,000 gallons per day. 4. a. Will the operation involve crushing or any other air contaminant emissions? Yes ® No ❑. If yes, indicate evidence that you have applied for or obtained an air quality permit issued by the Division of Air Quality or local governing body. APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT Portable rock crushing plants that are used part time are exempt from NCDAQ permits. Crushing will be performed on a limited basis using a portable crusher. The portable crusher will be onsite fewer than 12 months per year, will crush less than 300,000 tons and will use less than 17,000 gallons of diesel fuel. b. How will dust from stockpiles, haul roads, etc., be controlled? A water truck will be used to keep the roads wetted. Stockpiles will be vegetated if not planned for removal from the site within 30 days. Roads will be topped with fabric and gravel to reduce dust and onsite speed limits will be limited to less than 15 mph. 5. a. A buffer will be required between any mining activity and any mining permit boundary or right-of- way. It may be an unexcavated buffer (no excavation, but roadways, berms and erosion & sedimentation control measures may be installed within it), an undisturbed buffer (no disturbance within the buffer whatsoever), or a combination of the two, depending upon the site conditions. Note that all buffers must be located within the mining permit boundaries. How wide a buffer will be maintained between any mining activity and any mining permit boundary or right-of-way at this site? A minimum buffer of 25 feet is recommended, although a wider buffer may be needed depending on site conditions. Show all buffer locations and widths on the mine map(s). We will maintain a minimum 25-ft buffer, mostly undisturbed except for meeting City of Lenoir ETJ requirements. In most locations it will be greater as shown on the mine map. b. A minimum 50-foot wide undisturbed buffer will be required between any land disturbing activities within the mining permit boundaries and any natural watercourses and wetlands unless smaller undisturbed buffers can be justified. Depending on site conditions, a buffer wider than 50 feet may be needed. We will maintain an undisturbed minimum, 50-ft buffer between disturbed areas and Greasy Creek and the unnamed tributary shown by Caldwell Counties GIS. How wide an undisturbed buffer will be maintained between any land disturbing activities within the mining permit boundaries and any natural watercourses and wetlands at this site? Show all buffer locations and widths on the mine map(s). We will maintain a minimum 50-ft buffer to any streams or wetlands on the property as shown on Sheet 5 of 12. 6. a. Describe methods to prevent landslide or slope instability adjacent to adjoining permit boundaries during mining. Minimum 2 horizontal to 1 vertical slopes or flatter for clayey material and minimum 3 horizontal to 1 vertical slopes or flatter for sandy material are generally required, unless technical justification can be provided to allow steeper slopes. We will maintain 2:1 maximum outside slopes. We will mine clay soils from the site and will likely reach top of bedrock in most places. Slopes from excavated pits will also be graded to no more than a 2:1 slope for accessibility and safety. b. Provide a cross-section on the mine map(s) for all fill slopes (berms, wastepiles, overburden disposal areas, etc), clearly indicating the intended side slope gradient, installation of any benches and/or slope drains (with supporting design information) if needed, and the method of final stabilization. We do not anticipate having any fill slopes other than some topsoil stockpiles. Slopes will be less than 2:1 and will be vegetated. Cross -sections were added to the proposed final contour drawing, Sheet 8 of 12. WE APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT c. In excavation(s) of unconsolidated (non -rock) materials, specify the angle of all cut slopes including specifications for benching and sloping. Cross -sections for all cut slopes must be provided on the mine map(s). All slopes in soils will be no greater than 2:1. The design proposes a main, final grade, base elevation of 1160 with the southern face to remain open and natural down to Hoods Creek Road. In the event that benches are required, we will make these 1.5 times the width of the excavator and no more than 15-ft in height. d. In hardrock excavations, specify proposed bench widths and heights in feet. Provide cross -sections orthe mine excavation clearly noting the angles of the cut slopes, widths of all safety benches and mine benches, and the expected maximum depth of the excavation. Any hard rock excavations will be drilled and blasted to achieve the design grade with the proposed bottom elevation being around 1160. Any benching that may be required would be 1.5 times the width of the excavator and no more than 15-ft in vertical height. Should an access road be developed in a hard rock excavation, the road width would be a minimum of 28-feet wide with a maximum slope of 8%. 7. Describe other methods to be taken during mining to prevent physical hazard to any neighboring dwelling house, public road, public, commercial or industrial building from any mine excavation. Locate all such structures on the mine map if they are within 300 feet of any proposed excavation. No neighboring property structures are within 300 feet of our planned excavations as shown on Sheet 3 of 12. 8. Describe what kind of barricade will be used to prevent inadvertent public access along any high wall area and when it will be implemented. Vegetated earthen berms, appropriate fencing and adequate boulder barriers may be acceptable high wall barricades. A construction detail/cross-section and location of'each type of barricade to be used must be indicated on the mine map(s). We do not anticipate having any high wall areas and will keep our slopes to no more than a 2:1 slope. Areas above any 2:1 or greater slopes will have fencing installed with warning signs posted every 25-feet. Boulders and/or cut trees may also be used to prevent access to these areas. The main access road has been designed to follow natural grade to the top elevations of the mine and will act as a barrier into the area that will have 2:1 slopes. 9. Are acid producing minerals or soils present? Yes ❑ No ®. If yes, how will acid water pollution from the excavation, stockpiles and waste areas be controlled? 10. a. Describe specific plans (including a schedule of implementation) for screening the operation from public view such as maintaining or planting trees, bushes or other vegetation, building berms or other measures. Show the location of all visual screening on the mine maps) and provide cross - sections through all proposed berms or proposed spacing, sizes and species for tree plantings. Initial operations will begin at the highest point on the property and will be open to view from Hoods Creek Road and possibly Cheraw Road. Large trees and other shrubbery exist alongside of Hoods Creek Road and will effectively screen most of the operation April thru October. Additional screening efforts, new trees and shrubbery plantings, will be done along Hoods Creek Road and will comply with local zoning standards for the City of Lenoir ETJ and Caldwell County. Select pruning and removal of trees along Hoods Creek Road may be required prior to installation of new plantings. Some slope work may also be required to better stabilize roadside banks on the south end of Areas 1 and 2. b. Could the operation have a significantly adverse effect on the purposes of a publicly owned park, forest or recreation area? If so, how will such effects (i.e., noise, visibility, etc.) be mitigated? There are no known publicly owned parks, forest, or recreation areas nearby and therefore, no impacts to -10- APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT these features from our proposed operation. 11. Will explosives be used? Yes ® No ❑. If yes, specify the types of explosive(s) and describe what precaution(s) will be used to prevent physical hazard to persons or neighboring property from flying rocks or excessive air blasts or ground vibrations. Depending on the mine's location to nearby structures, more detailed technical information may be required on the blasting program (such as a third -party blasting study). Locate the nearest offsite occupied structure(s) to the proposed excavations) on the mine map and indicate its approximate distance to the proposed excavation. Fracture explosives will be used. Specific types are unknown at this time. Specialty, licensed contractors will be used for any drilling and blasting operation. A site specific and Area specific blasting plan will be developed for approval prior to any blasting event. Vibration monitoring will be conducted for each blast and adjustments made accordingly. Seismographs can be used at the property boundary to measure any ground disturbances. The two closest structures to the mining area are outside of the 300-ft buffer. An example Blasting Plan, created by Carolina Drilling, Inc. is being included. This plan was used at a nearby location with similar geologic properties. 12. Will fuel tanks, solvents, or other chemical reagents be stored on -site? Yes ® No6-1 ❑. Ifyes, describe these materials, how they will be stored and method of containment in case ofspill. Indicate the location(s) of all storage facilities on the mine map(s). We will have a 500-gallon, portable, diesel fuel tank onsite that will have an earthen berm installed around it with a geomembrane liner installed inside the berm. This fuel tank and berm set-up will be moved based on the current operating area and accessibility for a delivery fuel truck to reach. The proposed location has been added to Sheets 5 and 7. D. RECLAMATION PLAN 1. Describe your intended plan for the final reclamation and subsequent use of all affected lands and indicate the sequence and general methods to be used in reclaiming this land. This must include the method of reclamation of settling ponds and/or sediment control basins and the method of restoration or establishment of any permanent drainage channels to a condition minimizing erosion, sedimentation and other pollution. This information must be illustrated on a reclamation map and must correspond directly with the information provided on the mine map(s). In addition, design information, including typical cross -sections, of any permanent channels to be constructed as part of the reclamation plan and the location(s) of all permanent channels must be indicated on the reclamation map. This property will be reclaimed as a forested area. Upon completion of excavating materials from each area, slopes will be graded to 2:1 or flatter, topsoil will be placed and graded, with trees and other native plants to be planted. Walking and mountain bike trails may be included as part of the reclamation if the City of Lenoir, Caldwell County or the Community has an interest. Sediment basins will be decommissioned by removing the outfall riser structure and discharge pipe along with grading out any berms that may retain water. Any permanent stormwater channels will be graded to blend in with existing contours. Permanent vegetation will be established for each location and erosion control blankets will be used. Stone and fabric used for the access roads will be removed and the access road will be seeded or planted with trees to prevent future vehicle traffic into the site. 2. Is an excavated or impounded body of water to be left as a part of the reclamation? Yes ® No ❑. If yes, illustrate the location of the body(s) of water on the reclamation map and provide a scaled cross -sections) through the proposed body(s) of water. The minimum water depth must be at least 4 feet, measured from the normal low water table elevation, unless information is provided to indicate that a more shallow water body will be productive and beneficial at this site. -11- APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT Excavated areas deeper than 4-feet may be left as part of the site's reclamation plan. Sediment basins may have outfall risers and piping removed and be allowed to retain water for wildlife purposes. Will the body(s) of water be stocked with fish? Yes ❑ No ®. If yes, specify species. 3. Describe provisions for safety to persons and to adjoining property in all completed excavations in rock including what kind of permanent barricade will be left. Acceptable permanent barricades are appropriate fencing, large boulders placed end -to -end, etc. Construction details and locations of all permanent barricades must be shown on the reclamation map. Any excavations in rock will have the exterior or interior walls graded to a maximum slope of 2:1. Areas above these locations will have boulders, fencing or other type of barricade installed with warning signs every 25-feet. If permanent fencing is installed, it will be placed in areas that have a greater than 2:1 slope. 4. Indicate the method(s) of reclamation of overburden, refuse, spoil banks or other such on -site mine waste areas, including specifications for benching and sloping. Final cross -sections and locations for such areas must be provided on the reclamation map. Any overburden, spoil banks or other mine waste, though not anticipated, will be graded out to blend with the site's existing topography or used to create the 2:1 slopes as needed. Overburden materials consisting of topsoil, clay soil and structural fill soil are all considered useful, saleable products. Mine waste, such as old equipment will be removed and sold for scrap. 5. a. Describe reclamation of processing facilities, stockpile areas, and on -site roadways. Any processing facilities will be dismantled and removed from the site. Stockpile areas will be graded to blend with existing contours or to create 2:1 or 3:1 slopes as needed. On -site roadways will be stripped of stone and road fabric and graded to blend with surrounding contours. Water berms may be installed to direct water off the road. b. Will any on -site roadways be left as part of the reclamation? Yes ❑ No ®. If yes, identify such roadways on the reclamation map and provide details on permanent road and ditch line stabilization. 6. Describe the method of control of contaminants and disposal of scrap metal, junk machinery, cables, or other such waste products of mining. (Note definition of refuse in The Mining Act of 1971.) No off -site generated waste shall be disposed of on the mine site without prior written approval from the NC Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources and either the Division of Waste Management (DWM) or local governing body. If a disposal permit has been issued by DWM for the site, a copy of said permit must be attached to this application. All temporary and permanent refuse disposal areas must be clearly delineated on the mine maps) and reclamation map, along with a list of items to be disposed in said areas. Any scrap metal, junk machinery or other metals will be sent off -site for recycling. Other waste materials will be removed for disposal at the nearby, off -site landfill. 7. Describe your plan for revegetation or other surface treatment of the affected areas. This plan must include recommendations for year-round seeding, including the time of seeding and the amount and type of seed, fertilizer, lime and mulch per acre. The recommendations must include general seeding instructions for both permanent and temporary revegetation. Revegetation utilizing only tree plantings is not acceptable. Recommendations can be sought from: a. Authorized representatives of the local Soil and Water Conservation District; -12- APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT b. Authorized representatives of the NC Forest Service, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; c. Authorized county representatives of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, specialists and research faculty with the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Forest Resources at North Carolina State University; d. North Carolina licensed landscape architects; e. Private consulting foresters referred by the NC Forest Service, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; f. N.C. Erosion and Sedimentation Control Planning and Design Manual; g. N.C. Surface Mining Manual: A Guide for Permitting, Operation and Reclamation; h. Others as may be approved by the Department. LIME - RATE OF APPLICATION (tons/acre): Rates will be based on soil test results that will be collected and analyzed at different locations within the disturbed areas. NCDEQ recommends 2,000 lbs/acre. FERTILIZER - ANALYSIS AND RATE OF APPLICATION (pounds/acre): Rates will be based on soil test results that will be collected and analyzed at different locations within the disturbed areas. NCDEQ recommends 10-10-10 at 750 lbs/acre. SEED - TYPE(S) AND RATE(S) OF APPLICATION INCLUDING YEAR-ROUND SEEDING SCHEDULE (pounds/acre): [NOTE: Include Legumes] Seed Types: Temps Rye Grain Kobe Lespedeza German Millet/Sudan Grass Permanents (Nurse crop) Rye Grain/German Millet (Primary Native) Switchgrass/Bluestem/Sweet Deertongue/Indian woodaots Seeding Dates: Seeding Rates: Jan 1—May 1/Aug 15—Dec 30 1201bs/acre January 1 — May 1 50 Ibs/acre May 1 — August 15 40-50 lbs/acre Anytime 40/10 lbs/acre Woodreed December — April 2.5/5.0/1.5 lbs/acre February — October 1.5/4.0 lbs/acre Based on NCDEQ's Erosion and Sediment Control Manual for Seeding Schedule. Alternate seed blends may be used based on supply and recommendations from Green Resources in Charlotte. MULCH - TYPE AND RATE OF APPLICATION (pounds/acre) AND METHOD OF ANCHORING: 4,000 Ibs/acre straw anchored by tacking with asphalt, netting or mulch anchoring tool. Rates may vary depending on conditions. OTHER VEGETATIVE COVERS — TYPE (S) AND RATE (S) OF APPLICATION INCLUDING SEEDING SCHEDULE (pounds/acre, trees/acre, spacing of trees/shrubs, etc): Trees and native shrubbery will be planted in addition to the grass blends with spacing dependent on the type of tree and/or shrub selected. Licensed forestry managers will be utilized to help with the selection and planting. -13- APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT Revegetation and/or reforestation plan approved by: Signature _ Print Name Title Agency 14- Date APPLICATION FOR A MINING PERMIT E. DETERMINATION OF AFFECTED ACREAGE AND BOND The following bond calculation worksheet is to be used to establish an appropriate bond (based upon a range of $500 to $5,000 per affected acre) for each permitted mine site based upon the acreage approved by the Department to be affected during the life of the mining permit. Please insert the approximate acreage,, for each aspect of the mining operation, that you intend to affect during the lie of this miningpermit (in addition, please insert the appropriate reclamation cost/acre for each catego1y from the Schedule of Reclamation Costs ,provided with this application form) OR you can defer to the Department to calculate vour bond for you based upon vour maps and standard reclamation costs: AFFECTED RECLAMATION RECLAMATION CATEGORY ACREAGE COST/ACRE* COST Tailings/Sediment Ponds: .67 Ac. X $ 1,000 /Ac. _ $ 670.00 Stockpiles: 0 Ac. X $ 1,800 /Ac. _ $ 0.00 Wastepiles: 0 Ac. X $ /Ac. _ $ Processing Area/Haul Roads: 2.17 Ac. X $ 1,800 /Ac. _ $ 3,906.00 Mine Excavation: 24.0 Ac. X $ 500 /Ac. _ $ 12,000.00 Other: Ac. X $ /Ac. _ $ TOTAL AFFECTED AC.: 24.0 Ac. (TOTAL PERMITTED AC.: 24.0 Ac.) Temporary & Permanent Sedimentation & Erosion Control Measures: Divide the TOTAL AFFECTED AC. above into the following two categories: a) affected acres that drain into proposed/existing excavation and/or b) affected acres that will be graded for positive drainage where measures will be needed to prevent offsite sedimentation and sedimentation to onsite watercourses and wetlands. a) Internal Drainage 0 Ac. b) Positive Drainage 24.0 Ac. X $1,500.00 = $ 36,000.00 SUBTOTAL COST: $ 52,576.00 Inflation Factor: 0.02 X SUBTOTAL COST: $ 1051.52 X Permit Life Provided by Applicant (Life ofthe Mining Operation or Life of Lease from Public Entity (20 Years)):$21,030.40 INFLATION COST: $ 21,030.40 Total Reclamation Bond Cost: $ 73,600.00 (round down to the nearest $100.00) (NOTE: The reclamation bond cannot exceed $1 million per GS 74-54) -15-