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premining levels." Requirements under section 120 include: <br />removal of topsoil so that it remains free of any contamination and is <br />usable to support vegetation during reclamation; <br />restoration of topsoil or best available subsoil which is best able to <br />support vegetation; <br />with respect to prime farmlands, the segregation and protection of the <br />A horizon of the natural soil, except where it can be shown that other <br />soil will have a greater productive capacity; and <br />with respect to prime farmlands, the segregation and protection of the <br />B horizon of the natural soil in sufficient quantities to create in the <br />regraded final soil a root zone of comparable depth and quality to that <br />which existed in the natural soil. C.R.S. § 34- 33- 120(2)(e), (f), (g). <br />Further, under Rule 4.25: <br />"aggregate total prime farmland acreage shall not be decreased from that <br />which existed prior to mining. Water bodies, if any, to be constructed <br />during mining and reclamation operations must be located with the post - <br />reclamation non -prime farmland portions of the permit area." Rule <br />4.25.2(4). <br />And, when soil is replaced, the operator is required to: <br />"Replace the A horizon or other suitable soil materials as specified in <br />4.25.3(l) as the final surface soil layer. This surface soil layer shall equal or <br />exceed the thickness of the original soil, as determined in 2.06.6(2)(a), and <br />be replaced in such a manner that protects the surface layer from wind and <br />water erosion before it is seeded or planted." Rule 4.25.4(5). <br />Soil materials which are to be used in reclamation of the prime farmlands are <br />to be stockpiled in a "manner that prevents mixing or contaminating these <br />19 <br />