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Section 780.11(a) Continued. Revised 11/20/80 from soil removal to overburden stripping, through coal recovery and contemporaneous reclamation, the mine plan schedules each phase of the operation to accomodate the design capabilities of the mining equipment utilized. As depicted on Maps 7a-13a, Geologic Cross-Sections and Figures 32 and 33, Typical Pit Cross-Section and Typical Steady State Pit, respectively, the steep dips of the coal and overburden, combined with the corresponding economic pit configuration, dictate that the coal must be mined through open pit methods. The first operational activity is soil removal. Twin engine push- pull Caterpillar 657 Scrapers, each with a struck capacity of 34 cubic yards, will remove, in separate layers, the topsoil and subsoil. Typically, each phase of topsoil and subsoil removal will clear an area large enough to sustain mining operations-for ap- proximately 12 months. Once removed, the topsoil and subsoil will eiLhet be redistributed on graded areas, or, if such areas are unavailable, placed in segregated stockpiles. The stockpiles will be stratigically located in stable areas to avoid wind and water erosion, disturbance, compaction, and contamination. In addition, all stockpiles will be appropriately marked with conspicuous signs made of a durable material. Seeding of soil stockpiles with a rapid growing cereal grain species will be employed as an addi- tional erosion-prevention measure. Because topsoil and subsoil removal operations typically will be undertaken in the summer and fall, those operations must expose an area large enough to sustain mining operations until the next season. In certain instances, such as in February, 1981, immediate- ly after mining activity is permitted and approved, it will be necessary to remove topsoil and subsoil during the winter. Topsoil and subsoil removal operations conducted during the winter are ~,J u 780-2 as