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2.05.3 <br />(5) Topsoil <br />Reclamation activities will begin with the salvage of all topsoil material from <br />the facilities area after vegetation cover that would interfere with the use of <br />the topsoil is cleared. Sagebrush, forbs and grasses will not be cleared prior <br />to topsoil salvage. Oak brush and Pinyon and Juniper trees will be cleared <br />from areas prior to topsoil salvage. Since the area will be reclaimed as <br />rangeland and wildlife habitat and there is no prime farmland in the proposed <br />mining area, all suitable A and B soil horizons will be salvaged. No <br />segregation of the soil horizons will be undertaken and all soil material will be <br />stockpiled. The C soil horizon is not considered suitable for salvage because <br />it is too rocky. <br />Soil samples were obtained during October 1995, September 1998, and <br />October 26, 2000. The results of the laboratory analyses of the soils show <br />that the soils present in the area to be disturbed by mining are suitable plant <br />growth media. Please refer to Exhibit 7 for the results of the laboratory <br />analyses of the soils. <br />Selected overburden materials are not planned to be used for or as a <br />supplement to topsoil. <br />Rule 4.06.2(2) allows for the Operator to request a variance from topsoil <br />removal for 'good cause shown'. The Operator requests a variance from <br />topsoil removal in areas that are too steep (slopes exceeding 21-1:1 V), where <br />the topsoil is too thin (less than three inches), or where the material is too <br />rocky. This request is specifically for the planned disturbance associated <br />with the expansion of Gob Pile #2. However, if topsoil is available it will be <br />salvaged. <br />Topsoil was and will be removed by rubber tired scrapers with the assistance <br />of tracked dozers or a front end loader and truck equipment spread. Topsoil <br />material generated from the initial disturbance was placed in the stockpiles <br />shown on Map No. 15 -1. There is also a topsoil stockpile F at the unit train <br />loadout discussed below. Topsoil stockpile A has a capacity of about <br />270,000 cubic yards. It was estimated that 190,300 cubic yards of topsoil <br />would be salvaged from the initial construction of the facilities area as follows: <br />TR -76 2.05-50- 12/12 <br />