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Replacement of Adequate Topsoil Depths <br />As part of the Phase II bond release evaluation, CDRMS assesses whether a permittee has <br />replaced adequate depths of topsoil material to satisfy the requirements of the mining and <br />reclamation plan, and provide sufficient plant growth medium for revegetation. <br />The approved reclamation plan for the Elk Creek Mine requires the replacement of six (6) <br />inches of topsoil in areas where topsoil was salvaged under post-SMCRA requirements <br />and the approved reclamation plan. <br />During the course of the vegetation study in support of this Phase II bond release <br />application, topsoil depth verifications were undertaken. Whenever a vegetation sample <br />point for cover was established, a topsoil core hole was bored with a 21/4 inch auger to <br />determine the topsoil replacement depth at the sample point. Core material from the hole <br />was inspected to verify topsoil replacement, and identify the depth of replacement. Topsoil <br />replacement depth was concluded to be that depth at which the auger intersected rock or <br />parent material (C horizon). The following table summarizes the results of the topsoil <br />depth verifications by location. <br />ELK CREEK MINE 2020 TOP501L REPLACEMENT DEPTHS FOR RECLAIMED 51TE5 <br />........................................................................ <br />Oxbow Mining, LLC Elk Creek Mine Page 5 <br />5L-03 2020 Phase 11 Bond Release Synopsis <br />Site Name/Number Soil Character <br />Topsoil <br />Depth in <br />LW17-04 <br />rocky loam <br />12" <br />LW17-07 <br />sandy loam <br />22.5" <br />LW18-02 <br />silty loam w/ rock <br />12.5" <br />LW18-04 <br />silty loam <br />12" <br />LW18-O5B <br />silty loam <br />16.5" <br />LW18-04B <br />silty clay <br />13" <br />LW18-06 <br />rocky loam <br />15" <br />LW19-01 B <br />clay loam <br />23.5" <br />LW19-01 D <br />clay loam <br />20" <br />LW19-O2B <br />loam <br />25.5" <br />LW19-O3B <br />silty loam <br />18" <br />LW 19-04/413 <br />loam <br />17" <br />LW19-05 <br />silty loam <br />14" <br />TGA <br />rocky loam <br />10" <br />HGA <br />rocky loam <br />14" <br />Mean Topsoil Replacement Depth <br />........................................................................ <br />Oxbow Mining, LLC Elk Creek Mine Page 5 <br />5L-03 2020 Phase 11 Bond Release Synopsis <br />