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Peabody will obtain a variance pursuant to Rule 4.06.2(2) whenever suitable topsoil cannot be salvaged <br />from any map unit because of equipment limitations or operator safety concerns. • <br />Topsoil Salvage Depths. Topsoil is beneficial for increasing infiltration, improving the seedbed and <br />rooting medium for germination and plant establishment, enhancing nutrient cycling, and serving as a <br />source of seed, rhizomes, and root cuttings that can promote species diversity. Topsoil depth <br />requirements on mined lands are site-specific. The quality of topsoil and spoil materials, climatic <br />factors, seeded plant specie requirements, and concurrent reclamation practices all influence the <br />optimal topsoil salvage and replacement depth for a specific mine site (Pinchak et al., 1985). Often, <br />the quality of spoil material to be covered by topsoil is the major controlling factor (Schuman and <br />Power, 1980; Barth and Martin, 1982). Together, the ultimate topsoil salvage and replacement depth <br />and resultant spoil quality, will greatly influence productivity and longevity of the vegetation established <br />on reclaimed lands (Schuman et al., 19851. <br />The suggested salvageable depths of topsoil material presented in this section are based on laboratory <br />data and extensive field observations, and represent only the suitable sources of topsoil material. No <br />unsuitable sources of topsoil will be salvaged and used during reclamation activities. Topsoil suitability <br />was determined from criteria presented in Tab 9, Table 9-2. Topsoil salvage depths, presented in Table <br />21-1 and Exhibits 9.1 and 9-2, were determined in one-half foot increments after considering soil loss <br />attributed to brush clearing, slope steepness, and unsuitable inclusions lexcess clay, rock fragments, <br />and shallow bedrockl. The following sections summarize topsoil salvage depths, volumes, and <br />characteristics by map unit for the Seneca II-W topsoil salvage area. No discussion is presented for <br />Map Units 28A, 34E, 34F, 468, V46D, 50E, 66E, 66F, 70D, 99, and RO which do not occur within the <br />projected topsoil salvage area. <br />2VD, 2VE-Routt Clay Loam. The Routt clay loam map units occur on the moderate to steeply sloping <br />mountain sideslopes. The soil profile is deep and well developed with a thick, dark colored surface <br />horizon and subsoil clay accumulation. This soil has a thicker surface horizon than Buckskin, a higher <br />subsoil clay content than Foidel, and a deeper subsoil clay zone than Cochetopa. <br />The recommended topsoil salvage depth is based exclusively on the thickness of the surface mollic <br />epipedon and transitional horizons since subsurface clay levels are unsuitable. Topsoil salvage should <br />be terminated at the top of the argillic IBtI horizon. The mean in <br /> <br />8 Revised 06/24/91 <br />