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~~ ~ ~~ <br />soils <br />Soil surveys of the area have been conducted by the 4.5. Department of <br />Agriculture, Energy Fuels, and other organizations. Energy Fuels will use <br />the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality guidelines and those of the <br />Montana Department of State Lands to classify topsoil. <br />Energy Fuels will remove topsoil approximately 6 months in advance of mining. <br />In 1980, approximately 1.7 million cubic yards of topsoil will be removed _'rom <br />the mines and stockpiled in the Eckman Park area. The company plans to remove <br />the subhorizons of several soil series with the A horizon. OSM has determined <br />that these subsoils are suitable as plant-growth media and will supplement the <br />topsoil. From 1981 to 1988, most topsoil will be reapplied immediately after <br />removal onto regraded spoil. <br />The company will protect stockpiles from wind and water erosion by mulching <br />with sterile cereal grains or with fertile cereal grains that will be <br />harvested before they go to seed. The company will also place drainage <br />ditches around the piles to prevent erosion. Before reapplying topsoil and <br />subsoil, Energy Fuels will grade the spoil along the contour and then <br />redistribute soils with scrapers. Total soil depth after redistribution will <br />be approximately 2 feet. Following topsoil replacement, Energy Fuels will <br />sample and test the soil for nutrients to insure successful revegetation and <br />achievement of postmining land use. <br />Long-term environmental Smpacts will include disruption of soil horizons, a <br />loss of soils from a temporary increase in erosion, and altered productive <br />capabilities of the replaced soil. Soil/plant communities will eventually Se <br />re-established, although unique relationships of present communities may not <br />reoccur. If the company adheres to its proposed plan, ecological disturbance <br />will be minimized. <br />Land 'J se <br />Successful reclamation will enable re-establishment of premining land uses <br />of rangeland (inc'_uding wildlife habitat), pastureland, and cropland (no prime <br />farmland exists). Energy Fuels plans to re-establish preaining lard use over <br />the entire permit area. Changes in micro-organism composition will occur, <br />which may result in reduced specie populations. Long-term impacts will <br />include the loss of some wildlife habitat. The loss of Che elk calving ground <br />on the permit area is a significant impact in terms of local land use but an <br />insignificant impact in terms of regional land use. OSM is stipulating that <br />Energy Fuels must submit a statement of surface owner concurrence vita the <br />proposed postmining land use. <br /> <br /> <br />s <br />- 14 - <br />