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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> as a Plant Growth Media of Soils by Horizon in the Area to be Mined, provides an approximate <br /> suitability by horizon for the major soils to be disturbed by mining. <br /> The chemical and physical data for soils to be disturbed at the Colowyo mine site are shown in <br /> Table 2.04.9-3, Chemical and Physical Data for Soils Colowyo Mine. Soil sample locations are <br /> shown on the Soils - South Map (Map 6). The information was supplied by the Bureau of <br /> Reclamation Lab in Denver, Colorado. <br /> Topsoil Removal <br /> Soils information for the area to be mined has, in the past,been gathered by the Soil Conservation <br /> Service and the Bureau of Land Management. Information supplied by these two agencies has <br /> provided sufficient information concerning the soil resources available for reclamation at <br /> Colowyo. This information has been confirmed by reclamation personnel at the mine who have <br /> been closely monitoring topsoil removal operations since the initiation of mining in the fall of <br /> 1976. <br /> Therefore,the amount of soil sampling and mapping is considered quite adequate for determining <br /> topsoil volume estimates. Any additional mapping and sampling would have no beneficial effect <br /> on topsoil volume estimates or reclamation operations at Colowyo. <br /> The sequence of topsoil removal at the Colowyo Mine is shown on the Topsoil Handling Map <br /> (Map 28) and explained in detail in section 2.05.3 and 2.05.4. <br /> Overall, topsoil removal will include all of the A horizon and B horizon material available which <br /> is not the heavy clay with the hard columnar structure and sticky, plastic properties less suitable <br /> for revegetation. Based on the topsoil volume calculations, and 12+ years of topsoil experience, <br /> we have confirmed that there is a sufficient quantity of more desirable horizons with loam and clay <br /> loam textures making it unnecessary to remove undesirable heavy clay horizons. <br /> In addition,there are areas of rock outcrops or shallow and stoney soils where little or no suitable <br /> topsoil is available for removal. The shale or sandstone outcrops within the Work and Burnette <br /> mapping units comprise an insignificant area within these two units. Therefore, topsoil volume <br /> projections for these areas would not be affected to any significant amount. <br /> During 2005, Colowyo modified the topsoil redistribution depth based on a volumetric analysis. <br /> This determination is provided in Rule 2.05 and the revised distribution depth is discussed in Rule <br /> 4.06. <br /> 2.04.10 Vegetation Information <br /> Six vegetation communities and a small amount of cropland exist within the Colowyo permit <br /> boundary. The vegetation communities are sagebrush, mountain shrub,juniper, aspen woodland, <br /> riparian and grassland. <br /> Rule 2 Permits 2.04-51 Revision Date: 12/20/19 <br /> Revision No.: TR-135 <br />