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removed and segregated from other materials. Topsoil material, which has been removed, will either be replaced directly <br />on regraded areas or stockpiled for later replacement. <br />4.06.2 REMOVAL <br />Suitable topsoil materials as identified by the baseline soil sampling program described by Section 2.04.9, Soil Resources <br />Information, have been and will continue to be removed from all areas to be disturbed by mining and related operations. <br />EC plans to utilize tracked dozers to remove any large shrubs and woody plant species, which might interfere with soil <br />recovery activities. Following these limited clearing operations, tractor-scrapers or front end loaders and trucks will be <br />utilized to recover all suitable topsoil material. Topsoil recovery areas will be located so as to provide an adequate buffer <br />between actual disturbed areas and undisturbed areas. Maintenance of an adequate buffer will help to prevent <br />contamination of the topsoil resource. <br />Since EC is an underground mining operation, the availability of regraded areas for immediate topsoil redistribution is <br />limited. As such, most removed topsoil will be placed in topsoil stockpiles. <br />Generally, no effort will be made to remove grasses, fortis, and smaller shrub and woody plant species prior to topsoil <br />recovery. Recovery of as much vegetative material as is operationally practical, and incorporation of this material into the <br />topsoil during topsoil removal operations will effectively provide mulch material within the replaced topsoil and will <br />provide a source of indigenous plant propagules to establish an initial vegetative culture on reclaimed areas. <br />4.06.3 STORAGE <br />As stated earlier, most topsoil removed from disturbed areas will be placed in topsoil stockpiles. <br />These topsoil stockpiles will be located in stable areas, which aze separated from actual mining operations in order to <br />prevent any unnecessary compaction or contamination of the topsoil resource. The location, configuration, and orientation <br />of topsoil stockpiles have been selected and designed to minimize wind and water erosion. Any topsoil stockpiles which <br />will not be disturbed for periods greater than six (6) months will be protected by establishing a vegetative cover. Planting of <br />temporary vegetation will occur in either the spring or the fall and will be supplemented by voluntary growth resulting from <br />the indigenous plant propagules incorporated in the topsoil material during removal activities. The seed mixture shown on <br />Table 57, Topsoil Stockpile Seed Mixture (in Section 2.05.3, Operation Plan), will be utilized to establish a rapid growing <br />cover on long-term topsoil stockpile areas. Revegetation will be accomplished by seeding stockpile areas using a rangeland <br />seed drill wherever possible. In limited instances, broadcast seeding may be necessary where operational considerations <br />preclude the use of drill seeding equipment. <br />In order to clearly identify topsoil stockpile areas and prevent any unnecessary traffic or disturbance, these areas will be <br />clearly posted with durable signs and markers identifying them as topsoil stockpile areas. Other than necessary revegetation <br />efforts and any necessary maintenance, including repair of surface erosion, topsoil stockpile areas will not be disturbed until <br />the topsoil material is required for topsoil replacement and reclamation activities. <br />4.06.4 REDISTRIBUTION <br />Prior to any redistribution of topsoil, the regraded surface will be left in a roughened condition to avoid slippage of the <br />topsoil. Topsoil replacement activities will be controlled utilizing either grade stakes or grade strips to ensure uniform <br />placement depth. Tractor-scrapers or front-end loaders and trucks will be utilized for topsoil replacement and motor <br />graders will generally be utilized for distribution of topsoil material. During topsoil replacement and grading activities, <br />mechanical manipulation of the topsoil will be minimized to the extent possible in order to prevent any unnecessary <br />compaction and minimize potential damage to incorporated indigenous plant propagules. Where possible, topsoil will be <br />replaced along the contour and [he topsoil surface will be lefr in a roughened condition in order to minimize erosion. <br />Permit Revision 04-34 4.01-7 Revised 7/2/04 <br />