Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring 

APPENDIX B 

DESIGN CRITERIA, 

MITIGATION MEASURES, 

and 

MONITORING 

Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 1 

APPENDIX B – DESIGN CRITERIA, MITIGATION MEASURES, and MONITORING 

Specific design criteria, mitigation measures, and monitoring procedures would be applied to any 

action approved to mine limestone within the Section 30 Project Area. These requirements 

would be documented in a Plan of Operations (PO) that would be signed by both Pete Lien and 

Sons, Inc. (PLS) and the USFS. The PO would effectively be the contract governing the 

operations on National Forest System lands. Failure to comply with the terms of the PO could 

result in a notice of non-compliance and possible shutdown of operations, depending on the 

seriousness of the issue. 

The design criteria, mitigation measures, and monitoring procedures provided below apply to 

Alternatives B and C. Those provisions included by PLS in their proposed PO are included 

under Alternative B, as well as standard provisions that the Forest Service deems necessary for 

approval of any action alternative. Most of these same provisions also apply to Alternative C. 

Rather than repeat each item, Alternative C lists only those items that differentiate it from 

Alternative B (Proposed Action). The design criteria, mitigation measures, and monitoring 

procedures are an integral part of each Action Alternative used in the analysis to disclose the 

effects in Chapter 3 of the EIS. A reclamation bond would be required for both Alternative B 

and C to ensure that all reclamation work is completed. 

The analysis recognizes that certain other Federal, State, local, or other permits, cooperative 

agreements, MOUs, MOA's, etc., are necessary or required as part of implementing the Section 

30 Project. The appropriate documentation required from each of these jurisdictions will be 

obtained prior to initiation of applicable actions. 

ALTERNATIVE B 

Some of the items included here are presented under the Proposed Action in Chapter 2. More 

detail of the PLS proposal is included in their proposed PO, follow-up responses, and revisions 

contained in the Project File. Standard Forest Service requirements are included in addition to 

those proposed by PLS. 

Transportation System 

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Road closure devices, including gates, barriers, or other devices would be located on the

ground to provide the most effective means of accomplishing the desired travel 

management strategy. 

• Physical closures, such as slash, stumps, rocks and revegetation are to be used to eliminate 

motorized vehicle use. Earthen barriers may be used when there is not adequate material 

available for slash, stumps or rock closures. This may be done after activities, to allow 

use of a road by the mining operator. Closure gates may be utilized where administrative 

access is needed. 

• Abandoned roadbeds shall be revegetated and returned to as natural a state as possible. 

• All temporary access roads and newly constructed roads used to access mining and 

reclamation operations would be closed after reclamation activity is completed. 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 2 

• Where sod has effectively stabilized existing roadbeds, efforts would be made to minimize 

disturbance to the sod layer during maintenance and reconstruction activities outside the quarry. 

• Unauthorized roads used for temporary access within the quarry would be 

decommissioned after use as part of the mining and reclamation operations. 

• Maintenance on all roads used for mining operations will be the responsibility of the

mining operator for the life of the mine operations. Maintenance includes cleaning out silt 

from sediment collecting ponds and depositing it in upland locations, keeping sediment 

and erosion controls functional, keeping all drainage structures clear and functional, 

eliminating erosion of cut and fill slope and roadway soils, maintaining vegetative buffers, 

encouraging revegetation, and blading road surfaces. 

• Standard safety precautions along the haul route would be the responsibility of the mining 

operator. Precautions include, but are not limited to, signage and traffic and speed control 

at appropriate and permitted locations and maintenance of sight lines through vegetation 

management. 

• Unpaved roads (aggregate and native surface) roads would be routinely watered for dust

control by the mining operator.

Monitoring 

• Implementation monitoring of road maintenance, reconstruction, and new construction 

activities will be accomplished through site inspections conducted by Forest Service 

personnel and certified Engineering personnel. Measured and visual monitoring would 

determine physical effects, success of natural and enhanced revegetation, and to ensure 

traffic safety and compliance with state and federal laws. 

• Forest Service Road Damage Guidelines would be adhered to in order to limit soil 

movement and road damage during hauling activities (Road Damage Guidelines are

found in USDA-FSH, 2409.15 – Timber Sale Administration Handbook, Chapter 50, 

Specified Transportation Facilities, Black Hills Supplement No. 2409.15-92-1). 

Site Security, Safety, and Noise

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Enclosure of the active mine by fences and gates is required by Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) and other regulatory guidance. Access would be limited to a 

few readily observable points during the day and when mining activity is present. The 

site would be locked at all other times. 

• Additional security measures, including but not all listed, including additional locks and 

possibly an alarm system would be used where blasting agents or other potential 

hazardous supplies are located on site. Storage would incorporate all security measures 

required by federal, state and local laws. Finally, all supplies and equipment would be 

located in off-hours in locations that are easily subject to surveillance. 

• All work and storage of blasting materials secured on-site would comply with relevant 

regulations, including oversight by federal agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, 

Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and MSHA. 

• PLS would post speed limits and traffic movements, as needed, to maintain a safe and 

efficient operation. Signing (every 100 to 200 feet) would identify the site as an active 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 3 

quarry with posting of all required federal and state permits. At a minimum, a stop sign 

would be located where the road to the quarry site intersects Hidden Valley Road. 

• A fence would be located around the site perimeter at least 10 feet from the upper edge of 

the highwall and a berm may be located at the same distance around the perimeter of the 

quarry as needed. Berms are optional and would be employed in areas where additional

barriers and boundary markers may be warranted. 

• Highwalls are generally temporary features and would be in near-vertical condition only 

for the period of time between active quarrying and reclamation. 

• Existing roads within Section 30 in the quarry area would be closed to the public as per 

State and Federal requirements. 

• For safety reasons, blasting would always be conducted during daylight hours. Non-electric 

detonation systems would be used. Blasting design would ensure that ground motion due 

to blasting would not exceed two inches per second at any off-site, occupied structure. The 

operator would follow generally accepted standards for vibrations and air overpressure and 

would adjust blast sizes and charge delays to maintain compliance. 

• Engineering and administrative controls mining noise exposure, and rarely does a miner’s 

Time Weighted Average exposure exceed 105dBA 

o Reduce nose at the source (e.g. installing a muffler) 

o Interrupting the noise path (e.g. erecting acoustical enclosures and barriers) 

o Reducing reverberation (e.g. installing sound absorbing material) 

o Reducing structure-borne vibration (e.g. installing vibration mounts and providing 

proper lubrication) 

Monitoring 

• PLS would regularly check and maintain fences and gates to ensure that they are 

functional.

• The Forest Service will cooperate with MSHA and ATF on issues regarding security and 

safety, as appropriate. 

Structures

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• No permanent or semi-permanent structures would be necessary for the proposed 

operation. Office facilities and ancillary facilities (e.g., scale house) for the operation 

would be located off-site.

• On-site structures would be limited to those absolutely necessary for the operation of the 

mine and implementation of the reclamation plan. Temporary and portable structures to 

be located on-site include portable restrooms, a secure trailer or shed for blasting supplies 

and a water tank for dust abatement. Other temporary items are included under signage 

and site security. 

Monitoring 

• The Forest Service will approve, in advance, any requests to construct or store any 

structures on NFS lands. 

• Structure security will be enforced. 

• All utility lines will be monitored for damage on a daily basis. 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 4 

Monument Protection

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Protect all documented National Forest System lands boundary corners, posts and 

bearing trees. 

• Boundary survey monuments would be maintained by sinking posts in the ground, or, in 

locations where exposed bedrock makes burial of a post impracticable, by placing the 

monument in stone. 

Monitoring 

• PLS and the Forest Service will periodically check survey monuments to ensure they are 

being protected. 

Water Supply for Dust Abatement and Sanitary Sewer and Waste Disposal

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Well water would be imported to the site from permitted wells off-site that have

sufficient volume to meet dust suppression needs. The well locations are within 3 miles

of the proposed limestone mine and access roads. 

• Trucks with holding tanks and spray equipment would be used to haul water to the site. 

The same equipment would be used as necessary to do the actual dust abatement work. 

• No sanitary sewer or waste disposal would be required for mining and reclamation 

activities. Sanitary facilities would be provided by portable restrooms. Any trash created 

would be removed by the operator to private land. 

Monitoring 

• PLS and Forest Service employees will monitor road conditions that require dust to be 

kept to a minimum (dust above wheel wells not acceptable) 

• All roads and quarry activities will be inspected for trash cleanup. 

Hazardous Waste, Fuels and Chemicals

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Fueling and maintenance operations would take place within the confines of a standard 

containment basin (e.g., earthen berm or other sealed basin sized to contain a volume of 

at least 150% of stored fluids). A Spill Containment, Control, and Countermeasures 

(SPCC) plan would be completed and available on-site, as needed, in accordance with 

federal regulations. 

• No hazardous waste is anticipated within the meaning of federal statutes of the Resources 

Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), e.g. cyanide, solvents, and chemical 

reagents would not be necessary to mine limestone. 

• Fuels, oil, hydraulic fluid, etc. that may be stored on the site would be subject to a Spill 

Prevention and Control Plan, required by both Federal and State regulation. In the case 

of accidental spills or leaks, PLS or their designated representative would immediately 

report any accidental spills of petroleum or other chemicals by notifying the South 

Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SD DENR). Per the SD 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 5 

DENR requirements, any contaminated soil or material must be temporarily stockpiled 

and sampled to determine the necessary disposal requirements. 

Monitoring

• The Forest Service will check to make sure all vehicle maintenance is completed in 

designated areas. 

Vegetation Removal

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Cleared timber and other salvageable resources on the Forest surface would be removed 

in the first phase of operations. Un-reclaimed clearing would not exceed 60 acres at any 

one time. Trees would be removed and stockpiled within the boundaries of Section 30 

but could be outside the mining area to permit access to minerals, and those trees so 

removed would thereafter be disposed of at the direction of the Forest Service. The trees 

would be purchased by Pete Lien and Sons, Inc. and removed from Section 30. All 

stumps would also be removed. 

• In some areas on Section 30, but outside of proposed mining activity, are standing trees 

that do not reside on top of known mineral deposits. Trees would be left as a buffer in 

such situations to the extent feasible. 

Monitoring

• Forest Service sale administrators will be on site to verify the trees that are selected to be 

removed. 

Removing and Salvage of the Topsoil, Overburden and Waste Rock

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures

• Separate stockpiles would be maintained for topsoil, overburden, and waste rock. 

• Topsoil in the quarry area generally is limited. In many areas, limestone bedrock is 

exposed in outcrops or very near the surface. The shallow layer of topsoil would be 

recovered to the extent practical. Topsoil would be stockpiled in sufficient quantities and 

until such time, as needed, to create a plant growth medium for vegetation in the 

reclamation process. Overburden would be used for general contouring and placed on the 

bottom layer in backfill areas, as needed. 

• Waste rock would largely be generated on-site during the mining operations. Waste rock 

would in rare circumstances be generated where heavily weathered rock or other limestone 

of less than chemical-grade quality is encountered over the course of mining. Little to no 

storage capacity for waste rock would be necessary at the time of start up. Some waste 

rock storage is identified on the operation plans as a contingency should waste rock be 

encountered prior to the commencement of concurrent reclamation, or if short-term storage 

is necessary between the active face and areas where reclamation is occurring. 

Monitoring 

• The Forest Service will monitor the stockpiling of waste rock and the placement of nonpure limestone in reclamation operations.
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 6 

Blasting Operations

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• All work and storage of blasting materials secured on-site would comply with relevant 

regulations, including oversight by federal agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, 

Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives (ATFE) and MSHA. 

• Additional security measures, including but not all listed, including additional locks and 

possibly an alarm system would be used where blasting agents or other potential 

hazardous supplies are located on site. Storage would incorporate all security measures 

required by federal, state and local laws. Finally, all supplies and equipment would be 

located in off-hours in locations that are easily subject to surveillance. 

• No blasting would occur on weekends or major holidays (e.g., Christmas, News Year, 

Labor Day, Thanksgiving, etc.). 

• For safety reasons, blasting would always be conducted during daylight hours. 

• Non-electric detonation systems would be used. 

• Blasting design would ensure that ground motion due to blasting would not exceed two 

inches per second at any off-site, occupied structure. The operator would follow 

generally accepted standards for vibrations and air overpressure and would adjust blast 

sizes and charge delays to maintain compliance. 

• The primary blasting agent would be ANFO (combination of ammonium nitrite and fuel 

oil). Any changes to blasting agents would be reviewed by SD DENR and the Forest

Service prior to their use. 

Monitoring

• The operator would monitor all blasts with at least one seismograph. The scale distance 

formula would be employed to determine the need to set additional seismographs. 

• Monitoring equipment would be located within 10 feet of any structures identified for

monitoring, on the side of the structure toward the blast. 

• PLS will work with adjacent landowners to obtain permission for locating monitoring 

equipment. Monitoring equipment would be located within 10 feet of any structures 

identified for monitoring, on the side of the structure facing toward the blast. 

• If a specific structure is not identified for monitoring or landowner permission cannot be 

obtained, monitoring equipment would be placed on the nearest property line of the Section 

30 site. 

Air Quality

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• PLS would develop and implement a Fugitive Dust Control Plan. 

• Standard control practices, such as watering, would be used to minimize dust from 

disturbed sites. 

• Drill rigs would be equipped with dust collectors. 

• Speed limits would be posted at 15 miles per hour on the internal roads within the quarry 

for dust control purposes; vehicle speeds would be controlled on disturbed areas 

• Construction equipment (especially diesel equipment) must meet opacity standards for 

operating emissions. 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 7 

• Disturbed areas would be revegetated to reduce bare ground dust from moving into the 

air during wind events. 

• Limit disturbance to a maximum of 60 acres at any given time before reclamation must begin. 

• Unpaved roads would be routinely watered would be used as needed. 

Monitoring 

• The Forest Service and PLS will monitor roads for dust to keep air quality standard at

levels meeting National Events Action Plan. 

Storm Water and Surface Water Management 

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• PLS will implement a detailed storm water drainage and control plan that includes such 

things as check dams, sediment control structures, and detention ponds sufficient to 

maintain historical hydrology, control sediment, and maintain water quality. Detention 

ponds would be sized to handle a minimum of a 25 year event and constructed to allow 

any storm water to infiltrate slowly rather than rapidly flowing down drainages. 

• Surface water quality would be regulated at the project site by the National Pollutant Discharge 

Elimination System (NPDES) permitting process for construction and mining activity. 

Pennington County would also review storm water management in relation to the project.

• Measures would be taken to minimize soil erosion and help long term soil productivity by 

vegetating topsoil stockpiles as soon as possible after piling and disturbed areas as soon 

as possible after completion of mining activities in each area. 

Monitoring 

• The Forest Service and PLS will monitor surface water structures to make sure they are 

operating correctly. 

• Pennington County is required to review the storm water management for the protection 

of downstream water quality. 

Historic Properties and American Indian Religious Use

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, and Monitoring Requirements for Historic Properties and 

American Indian Religious Use were included in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) 

developed for the proposed Section 30 Project. The MOA was signed by the South Dakota 

Historic Preservation Office, USDA Forest Service, Pete Lien and Sons, Inc. (PLS), Mr. Richard 

Brannan, Chairman, Northern Arapaho Tribe, and Mr. Rodney Bordeaux, President, Rosebud 

Sioux Tribe in December 2007. This MOA can be found in the Project File. Following are main 

provisions of the agreement. 

• Five Historic Properties 39PN1277, 39PN1279, 39PN1283, and 39PN1284 which are 

eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) shall be 

avoided by 30 meters or more and protected as part of the limestone mining operation. 

• The BHNF, with the assistance of PLS, shall clearly mark with flagging or other 

appropriate materials, the site boundaries of the five eligible historic properties in order to 

ensure that all historical properties would be avoided by project activities.
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 8 

• PLS shall place erosion prevention structures such as silt fences or other structures at the 

edge of the 30 meter buffer zone to prevent erosion to the site by run-off. 

• Religious use site P-94-8-NA-3 shall be protected from mining and available for use 

throughout the operation. 

• If heritage resources, including human remains and associated cultural items are 

discovered, work in the immediate vicinity shall be halted. The consulting tribes, BHNF 

Supervisor, and SD SHPO shall be contacted for a field review and consultation with 

regards to the disposition of these remains and associated materials. Mitigation measures 

shall be discussed and documented. The intentional excavation of, and removal (if 

necessary) of human remains and associated objects, shall follow guidelines defined by 

the Native American Indian Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) (P.L. 101-601, 25 

U.S.C. 3001-3031), Section 3002, subpart (c). 

• If a heritage resource site is damaged during project implementation, work within the 

immediate vicinity of the site shall cease until a Forest Service archeologist evaluates the 

damage, make stabilization recommendations, and determines what additional protective 

measures are needed to protect the site. The consulting tribes, BHNF Supervisor, and SD 

SHPO shall be contacted for a field review. Project work shall not restart until authorized 

by the District Archeologist and/or Forest Archeologist. 

• PLS shall be responsible for and bear the cost of additional mitigation measures, curating 

of artifacts, and all other materials and documents generated by inadvertent any 

discoveries. Artifacts and other materials generated by inadvertent discoveries shall be 

curated with the South Dakota State Archaeological Research Center (SARC). 

• If inadvertent discoveries include human remains occur, PLS shall provide financial 

assistance to tribal representatives, not exceeding $1,000, to travel to Section 30 and 

conduct appropriate reburial activities. 

• PLS shall establish an American Indian Student scholarship fund at an accredited 

university or college in a sum not less than $16,000 and not greater than $22,000. Pete 

Lien and Sons shall formally notify by letter, all of the tribes who participated in the 

consultation process of the availability of this scholarship. 

Monitoring 

• The BHNF shall monitor site avoidance during project implementation of the undertaking 

to ensure avoidance and prevention of erosion of site locations during mining and 

reclamation activities. 

• The BHNF shall conduct a final monitoring trip upon completion of the project to 

document successful implementation of site avoidance measures and landscape 

restoration. The BHNF shall also request appropriate information from PLS 

documenting successful implementation of an American Indian scholarship fund. Within 

120 working days of the final monitoring trip, the BHNF shall submit a report to the 

signatories of this MOA documenting completion of mitigation measures. 

• PLS shall provide invoices of any successful curation to the BHNF. 

• PLS shall reimburse the BHNF for all costs incurred by the BHNF to conduct monitoring, 

prepare and submit the final monitoring report, and resolve issues generated by inadvertent 

discoveries. The amount of funds to be obligated for this purpose shall be identified and 

obligated in a separate agreement or cost recovery document between PLS and the BHNF. 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 9 

Noxious Weed Treatment

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Identify and monitor areas of concentrated activity prior to the start of the mining operation 

where new weed infestations are likely to occur. 

• The company would adhere to relevant laws and guidelines pertaining to noxious weeds. South 

Dakota laws regarding weed and pest control (e.g. South Dakota Codified Laws, Chapter 38-22; 

South Dakota Rules, Article 12:62) would provide a reference for targeted species. 

• The operator would immediately control any known infestation within the monitoring area by 

mowing and/or performing other appropriate mechanical, chemical or biological control 

methods subject to approval by the Forest Service. 

Monitoring

• PLS and the Forest Service would actively monitor areas of the quarry site for signs of 

weed infestation, and take actions as appropriate to limit their spread. 

• Noxious weed control would occur continuously while the quarry is in operation, and the 

program would terminate when the reclamation bond for the site is released. 

Short Term Stabilization and Long Term Reclamation 

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• PLS and the FS shall jointly develop of Reclamation Plan detailing the specific elements 

to ensure that the area is successfully stabilized and revegetated to meet the objectives 

included as part of the decision for this Project. 

• PLS shall provide a reclamation bond to cover costs of reclaiming disturbed areas. This 

bond shall be adjusted regularly based on the outstanding amount of reclamation work to 

be conducted. The bond shall not be released until reclamation is satisfactorily 

completed. 

• Topsoil would be salvaged and stockpiled. 

• Temporary seeding would be applied to all earthen stockpiles and all disturbed areas not

subject to further active mining in order to prevent erosion. Western Wheatgrass

(Pascopyrum smithii) would be spread at 15.0 pounds per acre. 

• Backfill for side slopes would consist of a bottom layer of waste rock, including 

overshoot from adjacent slopes. An intermediate layer would include soil substrate and 

other overburden, as well as any unusable fines from processing that may occur on the 

site. Compaction may be appropriate to allow the intermediate layer to settle into the 

bottom layer of waste rock. Finally, the top layer would be re-spread topsoil and 

amendments, to achieve a topsoil horizon comparable to pre-mining conditions. If soils

become compacted, intentionally or not, at any time during the reclamation process, 

appropriate steps (e.g., harrowing, disking) would be taken to scarify the soil and provide 

an appropriate plant growth environment. 

• Post–mining procedures would consist of contouring to match undisturbed slopes and 

reduce areas of exposed rock face. In no case would finished slopes exceed a ratio of 

three horizontal to one vertical foot. 

• Drainage patterns would be re-created during the grading process. Grading would promote 

positive flow off the site, preventing the development of hazards and maintaining 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 10 

downstream surface and groundwater resources. Most storm-water would be discharged 

from the site along the eastern reclamation boundary, where two swales along the reclaimed quarry floor would collect water and provide an outlet to the existing east–west 

drainage channel preserved across the site. At the same time, drainage would be directed 

through slow flow areas and around other grading features that promote floristic and 

wildlife diversity. 

• The salvageable topsoil in the mining area is limited. Therefore, fines material from the 

processing plant and imported organic material may be used to amend the topsoil prior to 

re-spreading. Topsoil would be spread over a scarified subsoil to a uniform depth not 

exceeding 12 inches with an average of 2 to 4 inches. At the option of the Forest Service, 

small pockets of rock outcrop, simulating existing conditions, may be designated into the

reclamation plan to allow for other areas of thicker plant growth medium. 

• To the maximum extent possible, grading, topsoil spreading and planting would 

commence as soon as disturbances to an area are complete and the season is appropriate 

for such activities. 

• The total amount of disturbed, un-reclaimed land at any given time is, in this case, held to 

a maximum of 60 acres. 

• Permanent seeding would be applied to the reclaimed areas using the following seed mix: 

o 45% Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis) 

o 12% Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) 

o 12% Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) 

o 12% Western Wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) 

o 12% Green Needlegrass (Stipa virioula) 

o 7% Troy Oats (Avera sativa) 

• Trees and shrubs would be planted in reclaimed areas as follows: 

o Trees to be planted include ten foot tall, six foot tall, three foot tall, and seedlings

consisting of Rocky Mountain Juniper, Lodgepole Pine and Ponderosa Pine. 

o Planting would be at the rate of three seedlings for every three foot tall tree and 

six seedlings for every six foot tall tree. 

o Trees would be planted in clumps throughout the reclamation area. 

o A total of 50 ten foot tall Rocky Mountain Juniper, 11 ten foot tall Lodgepole Pine, 10 

three foot tall Lodgepole Pine, 10 Lodgepole Pine seedlings, 77 six foot tall Ponderosa 

Pine, 164 three foot tall Ponderosa Pine, and 228 Ponderosa Pine seedlings. 

• If possible, permanent seeding would take place in early spring or on cool days in the fall. 

Mulch, straw mulch or a tacking hydromulch would be used on all reclamined slopes of 

greater than 15%. Bark mulch may be used for woody plantings and straw mulch on any 

area of this plan at the discretion of the contractor. 

• After closure of active mining, the operator would finish reclamation and monitor the site 

for establishment of vegetation and slope stability in the first season following the 

completion of reclamation, including providing irrigation water, replacing dead 

vegetation, adding topsoil and natural fertilizers as needed, or other measures to ensure 

the success of the reclamation plan. 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 11 

Monitoring 

• PLS and the Forest Service will monitor reclamation annually or more frequently to 

determine if reclamation practices are accomplishing the desired objectives, and to make 

any needed adjustments in methods, timing, or the seeding and planting schedules. 

• Reclamation bond will be reduced/released back to PLS as ground activities are 

completed. A portion of Bond will be kept to cover long term weed treatment, 

revegetation of dead plants, and erosion control structures. 

Transporting Crushed Material Off-Site

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• PLS would obtain any needed approvals from local and State agencies to haul material

off-site to their processing facility, and would add any signing deemed necessary to 

provide for safe traffic control. 

• PLS would maintain or reconstruct off-site roads as determined necessary by the agency 

of jurisdiction. 

• New road base material or paving may be added on adjacent public rights-of-way, at the 

discretion of the controlling jurisdiction (e.g. Pennington County, Rapid City, and State 

of South Dakota) and up to the level of improvement necessary to accommodate 

anticipated truck use. Use of Section 30 waste would only be allowed with permission 

from the Forest Service. 

Monitoring

• The Forest Service would cooperate with other jurisdictions related to off-site 

hauling, as appropriate. 

• The Forest Service will monitor the material removed from the quarry to ensure it 

falls in the locatable mineral category and not common variety, mineral material.

ALTERNATIVE C 

Most of the design criteria, mitigation measures, and monitoring procedures included under 

Alternative B also apply to Alternative C. Listed below are only those exceptions that are 

different between the two Action Alternatives. These exceptions primarily involve reclamation 

related requirements. 

Air Quality

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Magnesium chloride will be used to control dust on the gravel portions of Hidden Valley 

Road and the Pennington County Section Line Road (aka the Quarry Haul Road).

Removing and Salvage of the Topsoil, Overburden and Waste Rock

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Soil will be removed down to bedrock. Organic materials on site such as decaying 

stumps, saplings, and coarse woody debris on the ground may be included in the salvaged 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 12 

soil stockpiles. Stumps and debris created from vegetation removal for site preparation 

will not be included in the soil stockpiles. 

Short Term Stabilization and Long Term Reclamation

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• No more than 25 acres will be cleared and un-reclaimed at any one time. 

• Reclamation recontouring will result in additional topography in the landscape to provide 

for diversity of habitats and scenic quality. Some headwalls will be reduced to shallower 

than a 3:1 (H-V) slope to provide additional variety on the landscape. 

• Topsoil will be spread over scarified subsoil to variable depths. Soil depths will be 

determined depending on topography and would range between a minimum of 2 inches 

and a maximum of 18 inches. If necessary, up to 2 inches of composted organic material

may be added on top of the spread soil. Uncomposted organic material will not be added 

to the soil. 

• Western Wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) will not be used as a temporary cover crop on 

disturbed areas and soil stockpiles. The approved grass and forb seed mix would be used to 

stabilize the stockpiles instead of Western Wheatgrass. It is not necessary to include the 

shrubs in the stockpile seed mix. Stockpiled soil and disturbed areas will be monitored for 

noxious weeds and weeds would be controlled expeditiously upon detection. 

• The following seed mix would be used as part of permanent reclamation activities: 

o 20% Slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus) 

o 10% Green needlegrass (Nassella viridula) 

o 20% Combination of all of the following forbs: 

 Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) 

 American vetch (Vicia americana) 

 Cudweed sagewort (Artemisia ludoviciana) 

 White prairie aster (Aster ericoides) 

 Purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) 

o 35% Combination of all of the following warm season grasses: 

 Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) 

 Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 

 Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) 

 Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) 

 Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) 

 Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) 

o 15% Combination of all of the following shrubs: 

 Prairie rose (Rosa arkansana) or Woods rose (Rosa woodsii) 

 Common juniper (Juniperus communis) 

 Western red currant (Ribes cereum) 

 Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) 

 Wild plum (Prunus americana) 

• It is recommended that seeding be applied at 10 pounds per acre. All seeds must be 

certified weed free, pure live seed. 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 13 

• If approved species are not available, the District Botanist will be consulted for suitable 

substitutions. 

• To the maximum extent possible, grading, topsoil spreading, and planting will commence 

as soon as disturbances to an area are complete and the season is appropriate for such 

activities. Seeding should take place in the fall, if at all possible. Seeding in early spring 

is also acceptable, if it is not possible to plant in the fall season. 

• No Western Wheatgrass, Crested Wheatgrass, or Smooth Brome will be allowed for 

reclamation. 

• No Rocky Mountain Juniper or Lodgepole Pine will be planted as part of the reclamation 

process. 

• Following the application of topsoil, ponderosa pine of a local seed source will be planted 

where the ground is conducive to planting. This planting activity should be coordinated 

with the District Silviculturist. Timing of the planting would occur in late spring or early 

summer when precipitation is favorable to maximize survival of the seedlings. Tree 

planting will take advantage of the reclaimed topography and variations in the soil depth. 

This would likely result in varying densities of trees, and may take on a clumpy 

appearance in places. Trees will not be planted in a grid-like pattern. With time, natural 

tree regeneration will fill in the remaining area, resulting in a diverse forested landscape. 

• The seed source for these seedlings must be of a local origin, within 1,000 feet of 

elevation and 1 degree of latitude of the project area. 

• Coarse woody material (tree branches, boles, etc.) will be placed on the ground at the 

same time tree seedlings are planted to provide for micro-habitats. 

Monitoring 

After closure of an active mining area, the operator will finish reclamation and monitor the site 

for establishment of vegetation and slope stability in the first season following the completion of 

reclamation to ensure the success of the reclamation plan. 

• Survival surveys would be conducted in established plots the first, third and fifth years 

after planting. 75 % of the survey areas must have a minimum stocking rate of 200 trees 

per acre after each survey year. After the third year, only trees 6 inches or higher would 

be counted in the stocking rate. 

• Vegetation monitoring will be conducted in the first, third, fifth and seventh years after 

planting. At least 7 out of the following 9 categories must be met for the vegetation 

recovery to be considered successful. 

o Percent total vegetative cover comprised of noxious weeds is between 0 and 5% 

o Percent total vegetative cover comprised of invasive grasses (non-native sod formers) 

is between 0 and 25% 

o Percent of bare ground is between 0 and 15% 

o Percent of total vegetation cover is between 40 and 95% 

o Percent of total vegetation cover comprised of non-native plants is between 0 and 35% 

o Percent of total vegetative cover comprised of forbs is between 5 and 50% 

o Percent of total vegetative cover comprised of shrubs is between 5 and 35% 

o Percent of total vegetative cover comprised of graminoids is between 20 and 90% 

o Percent of total vegetative cover comprised of seeded species is between 50 and 100% 

• If monitoring indicates that changes are needed to meet reclamation objectives, those 

changes will need to be mutually agreed to by the Forest Service and the operator (PLS). 
Appendix B Section 30 Limestone Mining Project Design Criteria, Mitigation Measures, & Monitoring B - 14 

Power Requirement

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

• Any power lines planned to service quarry for the primary crusher will be required to be 

located underground. 

Blasting Operations

Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures 

In addition to all Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures listed under Alternative B, the following 

will also be required: 

• PLS will follow industry accepted blasting standards and comply with all blasting 

regulations pertaining to ground vibrations and air overpressure, adjusting blast sizes and 

charge delays to maintain compliance and prevent damage to commercial and/or residential 

structures of varying height, age, and construction on neighboring properties. 

• PLS will coordinate with adjacent property owners to address concerns for sensitive older 

structures located on the Terra Sancta property, and adjust blast sizes and charge delay as 

necessary to prevent both structural and cosmetic damage to large plate glass or stained 

glass installations in accordance with recommendations in Konon and Schuring (1983) and 

other relevant blasting guidelines. 

Monitoring 

In addition to the Monitoring listed under Alternative B, the following will also be required and/or 

provides more specific direction to what was listed previously: 

• PLS will monitor all blasts associated with quarry development in Section 30. Blast 

monitoring will be required at a minimum of two locations in the vicinity of the proposed 

Section 30 limestone quarry: 

1. North of the proposed quarry, near the Hidden Valley Subdivision; and 

2. East of the proposed quarry, in the vicinity of the Terra Sancta campus. 

• Both a seismograph and microphone will be installed at each monitoring location to 

monitor ground vibrations and air blast pressures (air overpressure). The scale distance 

formula would be employed to determine if additional monitoring locations are necessary. 

Additional monitoring locations may also be warranted depending on concerns associated 

with specific buildings (i.e. older structures, high rise residential structures, etc.). 

• PLS will provide blast monitoring data to the USFS as part of their annual operating report.