Laserfiche WebLink
Mr. Michael S. Savage <br />June 26, 1996 -Incomplete App. <br />Page 4 <br />16) OII requested that the Division specify the regulatory basis and the need for the request for <br />information pertaining to the source of stripped topsoil, location of its replacement, topsoil <br />pile quality, and lift handling. We will do so now, and apologize for any confusion our <br />requests may have caused. <br />With regard to the question about two "lifts", perhaps a more appropriate phrase would have <br />been "replacement horizons". Language in the permit indicates that both topsoils and <br />subsoils were salvaged. The Division wishes OII to discuss in the permit whether these <br />two horizons were salvaged into separate piles; if so, to identify on Map 5-3 which piles <br />are topsoil piles and which are subsoil piles; and, if so, whether the soils will be replaced <br />in two horizons. <br />With regard to the question about where the soils were stripped from and to where they will <br />be returned, Map 5-3 indicates that several different soil types were salvaged. As the <br />reclamation plan proposes to reclaim the mine's disturbed areas into two different vegetation <br />communities (one natural and one agronomic), the Division wishes OII to identify in the <br />permit the source areas of the various salvaged soils to ensure that these soils are returned <br />to their source areas. The Division is concerned that by not doing so, soils from one source <br />area could be inadvertently returned to a different source area. It seems to us that soils <br />appropriate for a natural vegetation post-mining land use might not serve well if replaced <br />in an area proposed for an agronomic post-mining land use, thereby leading to vegetation <br />establishment problems. By identifying a topsoil pile's source and replacement area, the <br />potential for this problem could be diminished significantly. <br />With regard to topsoil pile quality, the Division is concerned that as it may be over a decade <br />since some of the soils were stockpiled, their textural and chemical characteristics necessary <br />for optimum revegetation success may have diminished. Further, as two different vegetative <br />communities are proposed for post-mining land use, it is important to ensure that the <br />chemical and physical characteristics of those soils designated for those specific areas are <br />being maintained to the level necessary for those specific communities and land uses. <br />The regulatory basis for the Division's requests for this information is as follows: <br />(a) Identification of various soil horizons salvaged: <br />Regulations 2.04.9(I)(c)(ii), 2.05.3(5) and 4.06.1(1). <br />(b) A description of the plan for redistribution of topsoil and subsoil: <br />Regulations 2.05.4(2)(d), 4.06.1(2), and 4.06.4(2). <br />