Laserfiche WebLink
RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />4.06 Topsoil <br />4.06.1 General Requirements <br />Before the disturbance of any area, topsoil is removed and segregated from other material. Upon <br />removal, this material is either immediately redistributed on regraded areas or stockpiled in <br />locations shown on the Topsoil Handling Maps 28 and 28A. <br />4.06.2 Removal <br />All topsoil, as classified in section 2.04.9, is removed from areas to be affected by the surface coal <br />mining operations. The graphical representation of the topsoil removal is shown on the Topsoil <br />Handling Map (Map 28 and 28A). This map has been greatly simplified from that of the original <br />application to reflect actual on -the -ground operations. The techniques for removal of woody plant <br />materials that otherwise would interfere with the usefulness of the topsoil is discussed in Section <br />2.05.3 <br />The average thicknesses for each soils series: to be removed can be found in the legend of the Soils <br />- South Map (Map 6). Removal techniques for topsoil is described in Section 2.05.3. <br />A variance from topsoil removal was requested and approved by the Colorado Division of <br />Reclamation, Mining and Safety for the following areas; construction of small structures such as <br />power poles, signs or fence lines, areas of light traffic that do not destroy existing vegetation or <br />cause erosion and areas where removal would result in needless damage to soil characteristics such <br />as sediment control ditches and small water diversions. In most cases, especially on steep slopes, <br />removal of topsoil prior to ditch construction needlessly damages large areas of topsoil, along with <br />the adjacent natural vegetation. Implementation of the technique of cutting the ditches directly into <br />the hillside without topsoil removal will limit needless topsoil disturbance, reduce unnecessary <br />destruction of adjacent vegetation and will facilitate reclamation of the ditches at a future date. <br />It should also be clarified that consistent with Map 6, Soils — South and Exhibit 9, Volume 19, <br />there will be small areas of rock outcrop, rocky steep slopes, etc. where the topsoil depth is 0 <br />inches. Where this occurs there will not be an attempt to recover topsoil or otherwise disturb the <br />area before disturbance by mining. <br />Colowyo does not plan to use overburden material for topsoil substitutes or as a supplement to <br />topsoil. Colowyo will remove topsoil before any mining operations commence and always <br />maintain a buffer zone between the area stripped of topsoil and the overburden drilling and blasting <br />operations.. As depicted on the Topsoil Handling Map (Map 28 & 28C), the topsoil handling <br />program will result in an orderly sequence for the continuous removal, storage or reapplication of <br />topsoil. The redistribution of topsoil will be done at a time when the physical and chemical <br />properties of the topsoil can be protected from alteration while minimizing the potential for <br />erosion. <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-27 Revision Date: 5/25/18 <br />Revision No.: RN -07 <br />