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acceptable levels during normal spoiling operations. The Lennox coal outcrop sampling • <br />plan shown on Exhibit 6-6 includes those areas having excessive clay levels. The <br />unsuitable shale and clay strata encountered in the reduced highwell or upper three feet <br />of final graded spoil will be scarified prior to being covered with topsoil. Deep ripping <br />or chisel plowing will be used to decrease compaction, increase aeration and water <br />movement, and increase plant rooting depths (Josiah, 1986). The third condition listed <br />above does not exist a[ Seneca II-Y since the average particle size analysis shoos a <br />percentage breakdown of 26 percent sand, 45 percent silt, and 29 percent clay (Tab 6, <br />Table b-b). <br />Postmine Spoil Characteristics. The resultant loamy textured spoil will possess suitable <br />physical qualities which are conducive to plant 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 (B to 15 <br />mi lliequivalents 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 end • <br />salt levels in the overburden are low and should pose no severe problem to successful <br />reclamation. Because nitrate-nitrogen concentrations ere moderate, trace element <br />concentrations are generally moderate, and pH levels are slightly acidic to neutral, <br />nutrient availability should be good. This spoil, overlaid with one foot of suitable <br />topsoil, will possess favorable physical and chemical qualities and will be a suitable <br />plant root growth medium (Barth end Martin, 1982; Schuman et eL., 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 />Topsoil Management Plan <br />The Seneca II•Y Mine topsoil management plan, based predominantly upon the detailed soil <br />survey contained in Tab 9 end secondarily on historic reclamation at Peabody~s Seneca II <br />Mine, was developed to ensure that the most suitable topsoil within the dis[urbante area • <br />is selvaged. The management plan evaluates the topsoil resources, recommends salvage <br />6 Revised 04/24/91 <br />