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~G <br />III III III I II IIII III Doc Date:1211112001 <br />99s <br />r- 2.04.9 Soils Resource Informatio <br /> <br />.M <br />Much of the area within the permit boundary to be disturbed by <br />mining is covered by soils that provide an excellent source of <br />plant growth media. They are deep, dark brown loam and clay loam <br />soils with physical and chemical properties that are generally well <br />suited for revegetation. The percentage of organic matter is <br />suitable; the cation exchange capacity is normal to high; the soil <br />texture and structure is adequate for moisture retention and <br />aeration; the salt content is low; and the sodium absorption ratio <br />is low. <br />A portion of the area is covered by soils that are comparatively <br />less desirable because they are shallow and stoney, or have <br />subsurface soils that are heavy clays with a hard columnar <br />structure and sticky, plastic properties. <br />The soils in the permit area are extremely variable, depending upon <br />slope, aspect, parent material, and location on the slope. Soil <br />series mapping and descriptions are presented for use in <br />generalized volume calculations and general reclamation potential <br />evaluations. The soils within each series are so variable that on <br />the ground staking of each soil series would not be useful for <br />topsoil removal, and would most likely result in a poor job of <br />topsoil removal. Actual soil removal is determined at each site by <br />close coordination between reclamation personnel and equipment <br />operators. <br />The potential of each soil for use in reclamation is essentially <br />the same as its current potential. The shallow rocky or clay soils <br />that currently produce very little vegetation will not be very <br />useful for reclamation purposes, and the deep loamy soils will <br />provide an excellent source of plant growth media. It is quite <br />possible that the overall productivity of the area to be mined <br />could be increased. During the topsoil removal process, the <br />smaller amounts of poorer soils will become mixed with good soils, <br />and currently unproductive areas may become more productive. <br />2.04.9-1 <br />