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Topsoil pile E south of the facilities area will remain post mine for use at the discretion of the <br /> surface landowner. Please see Map 2.05.4-4 for locations of topsoil piles discussed in this section. <br /> 10. Topsoil Preparation Procedures Prior to Seeding <br /> This discussion has been divided into each of the three main post-mine land uses: Dryland Pasture <br /> (DP),Irrigated Pasture(IP), and Irrigated Cropland(IC). Irrigated Cropland covers both prime and <br /> non-prime farmland areas. In general, topsoil will not be placed while saturated, and will be <br /> replaced along the contour, whenever feasible, to minimize potential erosion and topsoil/spoil <br /> interface slippage problems. This practice will be discontinued on steep slopes where the safety of <br /> the equipment operator is in jeopardy. <br /> Irrigated Cropland Topsoil Preparation Procedures <br /> Topsoil replacement operations may be carried out during most of the year, the exception being <br /> those periods when wet conditions would preclude handling of the topsoil materials. <br /> • Deep ripping of topsoil - Upon successful completion of placing topsoil on the ripped <br /> Bench 1 the topsoil will be ripped to a depth of at least 2 inches greater than the depth of <br /> topsoil. This will alleviate compaction of the topsoil and assist in the removal of any <br /> boundaries between the ripped Bench 1 and topsoil. <br /> • Land leveling - A blade pulled behind a farm tractor is used to level the topsoil surface <br /> and allow a smoother surface for seeding. <br /> • Rock picking — Rock picking is done by a mechanical device that are pulled behind a <br /> tractor that windrows rocks and then another device that picks up large rocks over <br /> approximately 2.5 inches in diameter. Rocks up to approximately 24" diameter can be <br /> picked up by the device. Sandstone lenses that are identified in any topsoil or Bench 1 <br /> will be buried in lower Bench 1 overburden, at least eight feet below the topsoil level. <br /> • Fertility testing - Three soil samples will be obtained in the field to be tested. The field is <br /> defined as that area that has recently been topsoiled. Samples will be taken and analyzed <br /> by a lab using the standard soil test for pH, salts, organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, and <br /> phosphorous. The lab will be informed that the desired crop is irrigated alfalfa and that <br /> the tonnage rate is 5.5 tons per acre. The reference area will be sampled separately. <br /> • Disking - Prior to final seedbed preparation, soil conditioning and weed control tillage <br /> will be carried out through disking or other standard agricultural practice. Disking will be <br /> used to condition soil,break up clods, and control weeds prior to seeding. If annual weeds <br /> are a problem, several tillage operations may be required to get adequate control. <br /> Section 2.05.4(2)(d) Page 13 July 2020 (MR-115) <br />