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the mine. This conclusion is based on the small and infrequent flows relative to the <br />large amount of dilution available in receiving waters. The quality of surface water <br />is limited on site and the treatment systems should act to mitigate any adverse effects <br />on surface water. <br />Protection of Hydrologic Balance <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(c), the Division has assessed the probable hydrologic <br />impacts to ground water and surface water at the King I and II Mines. The Division <br />finds that the mine operations have been designed to prevent material damage to the <br />hydrologic balance outside the permit area. Discussion on the probably hydrologic <br />consequences may be found in King I Appendix 4(6). <br />IV. Topsoil — Rule 4.06 <br />The baseline soil inventories for the King I and II Mines are presented in Section 2.04.9 of <br />the permit application. Topsoil replacement is described in Section 2.05.4. Baseline <br />surveying of soils was not performed in the King I Mine facilities area due to previous <br />disturbances. Instead, a survey by the Soil Conservation Service was performed for <br />adjacent, undisturbed areas. This survey identified three soil mapping units as described in <br />Section 2.04.9 of the King I permit volume and depicted on Map King I-006. Map King I- <br />006 and Map King II -006 show ten soil mapping units identified in the permit area. <br />Approximately 1.5 acres are to be disturbed at the King I Mine as a topsoil borrow area at <br />the end of the life of the mine. <br />The owner of the land in the surface facilities area of the King I Mine has allowed access <br />and rights for a topsoil storage area (a.k.a. Plant Growth Medium shown on Map King I- <br />007) to be used for reclamation purposes. Topsoil and suitable growth medium have been <br />analyzed and the results are provided in Appendix 6 of the permit application. <br />The applicant has not requested approval of alternative procedures for topsoil protection <br />following removal, and no such approval is proposed (4.06.1(2)). <br />The Division waived the requirement for clearing of small shrub and grass -type vegetation <br />cover prior to topsoil removal. The applicant has demonstrated that inclusion of vegetation <br />cover in salvaged topsoil is necessary or desirable to ensure soil productivity consistent <br />with the post -mining land use (4.06.2(1)). <br />No variance from topsoil removal has been requested (4.06.2(2)(a)). <br />The Division has determined selected overburden materials shall be used for, or as a <br />supplement to topsoil. The resulting soil is equal to or better than the available topsoil. <br />This determination is based on physical and chemical analyses and field -site trials <br />approved by the Division (4.06.2(4)(a)). <br />20 <br />