2025-06-30_PERMIT FILE - C1981019 (5)

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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-21 Revision Date: 4/9/25 Revision No.: MR-261 For a discussion on stream buffer zones from Wilson Creek, Jubb Creek, and Little Collom Gulch please see Volume 15, Section 4.05.18. 4.06 TOPSOIL 4.06.1 General Requirements Before the disturbance of any area, topsoil is removed and segregated from other material. Upon removal, this material is either immediately redistributed on regraded areas or stockpiled in locations shown on the Topsoil Handling Maps 28 and 28A. 4.06.2 Removal All topsoil, as classified in section 2.04.9, is removed from areas to be affected by the surface coal mining operations. The graphical representation of the topsoil removal is shown on the Topsoil Handling Map (Map 28 and 28A). This map has been greatly simplified from that of the original application to reflect actual on-the-ground operations. The techniques for removal of woody plant materials that otherwise would interfere with the usefulness of the topsoil is discussed in Section 2.05.3 Removal techniques for topsoil are described in Section 2.05.3. A variance from topsoil removal was requested and approved by the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety for the following areas; construction of small structures such as power poles, signs or fence lines, areas of light traffic that do not destroy existing vegetation or cause erosion and areas where removal would result in needless damage to soil characteristics such as sediment control ditches and small water diversions. In most cases, especially on steep slopes, removal of topsoil prior to ditch construction needlessly damages large areas of topsoil, along with the adjacent natural vegetation. Implementation of the technique of cutting the ditches directly into the hillside without topsoil removal will limit needless topsoil disturbance, reduce unnecessary destruction of adjacent vegetation and will facilitate reclamation of the ditches at a future date. It should also be clarified that consistent with Map 6, Soils – South and Exhibit 9, Volume 19, there will be small areas of rock outcrop, rocky steep slopes, etc. where the topsoil depth is 0 inches. Where this occurs there will not be an attempt to recover topsoil or otherwise disturb the area before disturbance by mining. Colowyo does not plan to use overburden material for topsoil substitutes or as a supplement to topsoil. Colowyo will remove topsoil before any mining operations commence and always maintain a buffer zone between the area stripped of topsoil and the overburden drilling and blasting operations.. As depicted on the Topsoil Handling Map (Map 28 & 28C), the topsoil handling program will result in an orderly sequence for the continuous removal, storage or reapplication of topsoil. The redistribution of topsoil will be done at a time when the physical and chemical properties of the topsoil can be protected from alteration while minimizing the potential for erosion.