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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.04-51 Revision Date: 11/1/21 <br /> Revision No.: TR-150 <br />chemical or physical data have been collected for this series. Present and potential productivity is <br />poor. <br /> <br />Topsoil Suitability <br /> <br />Table 2.04.9-1, Suitable Topsoil Available for Reclamation, contains a Summary of the <br />approximate depth of topsoil to be removed for each of the soil series. Table 2.04.9-2, Suitability <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 /> <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 /> <br />Topsoil Removal <br /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <br /> <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.