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section of Tab 6. Many of the 25 overburden sample intervals [hat were identified es <br />having unsuitable clay contents (Tab 6, Appendix 6-3) will be blended and diluted to • <br />acceptable levels during normal spoiling operations. The Yadge overburden semplin5i plan <br />includes Those arses having excee:eive clay levels. The unsuitable shale and clay strote <br />encountered in the reduced highwell or upper three feet of final graded spoil will be <br />scsriffed prior to being covered with soil. Deep ripping or chisel plowing will bey used <br />to decrease compaction, increase aeration end water movement, and increase plant rooting <br />depths (Josiah, 1986). The third condition listed above does not exist et roast even <br />though the average particle size analysis shows a percentage breaKdown of 36 percent sand, <br />37 pereent silt, end 27 percent clay (Tab 6, Table 8). Sandstone and shale strata are <br />separated spatially by both mine area end geologic section. This separation will limit <br />the mixing of different strata. <br />Postmine Spoil Characteristics. The resultant loamy textured spoil will possess suitable <br />physical qualities which ere conducive [o plan[ growth. The available water holding <br />capacity will be low to moderately high (approximately 0.07 to 0.16 inches of water per <br />inch of soil), permeability moderately slow to moderately rapid (about 0.6 to 4.0 inches <br />per hour), and cation exchange capacity moderately low to moderate (8 to 15 <br />milliequivalents per 100 grams). Since the overburden predominantly contains hard rock • <br />fragments, the spoil will be skeletal in nature. <br />The chemical properties of the spoil will also be favorable for plant growth. Sodium and <br />salt levels in the overburden are low and should pose no severe problem to successful <br />reclamation. Because phosphorus and potassium concentrations are moderate, trace element <br />concentrations are generally moderate, and pX levels are slightly acidic to mildly <br />alkaline, nutrient availability should be good. This spoil, overlaid with one foot of <br />suitable topsoil, will possess favorable physical and chemical qualities and will be a <br />suitable plant root growth medium (Barth and Martin, 1982; Schuman et al., 1985). <br />Spoil erodibility is discussed in the Probable Hydrologic Consequences (Tab 17) and the <br />Revegetation Plan (Tab 22) Surface Stabilization sections. Soil and topsoil erodibility <br />is discussed in the Soil Survey (Tab 9). <br />Soil Menacemen[ Plan <br />The Yaast Mine soil management plan, based predominantly upon the detailed soil survey • <br />6 <br />