REV14550 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-20- and that revised Tables 57a, 58a, 59 and 69, and revised text under Section 816.22(c) and (d) were submitted to remedy the error. The revised tables reveal that approximately 16% more topsoil and subsoil will be salvaged in Pit No. 2 than was previously stated by Kerr Coal. Pit No. 1. Kerr's plan for topsoil salvage in the Pit No. 1 area raised several questions as to whether this plan would provide an adequate plant growth medium for the reclaimed area. Several potential problems were identified with respect to excessive topsoil erosion due to high slopes, reduced infiltration due to soil dispersion, lowered permeability leading to possible drought conditions, and the possible formation of impermeable layers between the topsoil and spoil. Factors contributing to these problems were the slopes in excess of 30~, the sodic, high clay content of the spoil directly beneath the topsoil, and the fact that only 6 inches of topsoil was to be salvaged due to an extremely high clay content of the subsoil. Kerr Coal resolved the problem by proposing to selectively remove specific overburden material from Pit No. 3 and replace that material as subsoil in the Pit No. 1 area. This plan is described in detail in revised pages 780-3ccccccc, 780-lOccccccc, 780-68bbbbbbb, 780-68ccccccc, 816-183aaaaaaa, 816-138bbbbbbb, 816-124aaaaaaa, 816-214bbbbbbb, 816-183aaaaaaa, 816-138bbbbbbb, and new Table 78, Pit No. 3, Selected Overburden Handling Plan. The issue of excessive topsoil erosion due to the 30% slopes was resolved after Kerr Coal explained that slope lengths are reduced through the use of contour furrows along the side slopes of Pit No. 1. Kerr Coal originally requested permission to leave topsoil in place within the impoundment area of sediment ponds. It was the Division's position that such areas constitute "disturbed areas" (Rule 1.04(36)), therefore, topsoil salvage was required by Rule 4.06. A stipulation was placed on the original permit addressing this issue and was resolved by the permittee committing to stripping topsoil from the impoundment areas of the ~onds. The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. XI. Vegetation Rules 2.04.10, 2.05.4(2)(e), 4.15 There were many concerns regarding vegetation during the review of Kerr's original permit application. The large majority were dealt with satisfactorily during the review, and all concerns that were stipulated were resolved after permit issuance. The Division requested the removal of several introduced species from the Kerr seed mix (October 9, 1980). Kerr incorporated the requested changes (November 6, 1980 letter to MLRD).. OSM requested removal of additional species (ACR). The Division did not feel the additional removal is necessary but agreed with OSM that a monitoring program should be undertaken by Kerr to insure that certain plant species do not dominate in re vegetated areas. Kerr agreed to this and set forth general procedures for this monitoring in the December 23, 1980 letter to MLRD.