2019-04-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (6)

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RULE 2 PERMITS drainages. The major difference between the two areas will be the thickness of reapplied topsoil from mid -slope to the bottom of drainages. Topsoil redistribution criteria specific to sagebrush steppe areas are defined further on in this section. Prior to 2005, essentially all reclamation units were covered with an average of 18 inches of topsoil. One exception to this was the CSU/DMG Shrub study area, which received various treatments of replaced topsoil at 0", 6", and 18" as described in Section 4.15. From 2005 through 2009, reclamation areas received an approximate average of 8 inches of topsoil. Reclamation areas from 2010 moving forward (including facilities and the Gossard Loadout area) will utilize variable topsoil depths as described in this section, unless otherwise specified (sagebrush steppe and special planting areas). Topsoil will normally be reapplied by hauling, in trucks, from topsoil stockpiles or from areas where topsoil has been removed for mining advance, to the regraded spoil areas and then redistributed with dozers. Alternate methods may also include placing topsoil on slopes with a dragline followed by redistribution with dozer, or using a scraper to redistribute the topsoil. It is anticipated that on slopes of < 10% it will be safe to strategically place rows of topsoil in a designated pattern with haul trucks to ensure the desired four to six inches of topsoil can be dozed into position. If a dozer operator doesn't do this properly, he won't have enough material to cover the entire area and it will be obvious what has occurred. Depth control on the Sagebrush Steppe areas will be verified as the project progresses and any deviations from the plan will be rectified at that time. Depth readings will also be taken after the area has been completely topsoiled, sufficient to ensure that Colowyo can demonstrate compliance with the plan. Even if scrapers are used to initially lay topsoil down, it is anticipated that some dozer work will be needed to do the finish work. The required volume of material will be at/on the location. Verification work will lead to additional dozer/scraper work if necessary to ensure proper final placement. If depth control becomes an issue, staking will be initiated as an additional guide for operators. On areas of > 10% slope it is anticipated that dozers will work together with scrapers to accomplish a gradually thicker application of topsoil on these slopes. As Colowyo has always done, depth stakes at regular intervals will provide guidance to the operators. Depth readings will be taken while the operations are progressing and any issues will be rectified at that time. Depth readings will also be taken after the area has been completely topsoiled, sufficient to ensure that Colowyo can demonstrate compliance with the plan. The allocated volume of topsoil for each area (total volume based on area multiplied by either 8 or 19.5 inches) will be hauled to the location, most likely with haul trucks and scrapers as close as safely possible to the final intended location, then dozed into place or placed via scrapers. Verification work will lead to additional dozer/scraper work if necessary to ensure proper final placement. Beginning with 2010 reclamation activities, Colowyo will institute a topsoil depth verification program to document ecologically significant variations in topsoil where applicable (i.e. grazingland areas) and confirm more uniform topsoil reapplications (i.e. sagebrush steppe areas). It will consist of recording topsoil depths on five acre centers overlaid on each reclamation unit, similar to re -graded overburden suitability monitoring. The topsoil depth verification program is not intended nor should it be used as a topsoil volume verification method as the volume of topsoil Rule 2 Permits 2.05-27 Revision Date: 5/25/18 Revision No.: RN -07