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B. Topsoil Salvage Operations <br />Information on topsoil salvage methods is found on pages: 2.04.9-16, 2.05-2, 2.05-4 and -5, 2.05-24 <br />through 2.05-27 and 4.06-1 through 4.06-3 ofthe PAP original volumes. Additional information can <br />be found in Exhibit 9 and Maps 5 and 6 of the PAP original volumes. Information specifically <br />pertinent to proposed South Taylor expansion topsoil salvage operations is presented in Section <br />2.04.9 text and tables of Volume 12, as well as Sections 2.05.3(5) and 2.05.4(2)(d) of Volume 12, <br />Exhibit 9 of Volume ] 3, and Maps SA, 5B, and SB of Volume 14. <br />In general, the topsoil handling plan calls for removal of all A and some or all of the B horizon <br />materials, depending on soil type. Average estimated soil salvage thicknesses for South Taylor <br />expansion area map units (based on component series relative acreage), is presented in Tables <br />2.04.9-6 and 6A of Volume 12. Projected salvage volume calculations for defined topsoil stripping <br />blocks within the South Taylor expansion area are presented in Table 2.04.9-7 of Volume 12. <br />Specific azeas where topsoil will not be salvaged are described on page 4.06.1 of the PAP. <br />Topsoil will be removed during the late spring to fall, ahead of pit advance. Vegetation, with the <br />exception of large trees, will be removed and redistributed with the topsoil. Topsoil will be removed <br />to topsoil stockpiles or, where possible, applied directly to regraded spoil. Within the South Taylor <br />expansion azea, most topsoil will be placed in stockpile, as the nature of the operation will generally <br />not allow for direct replacement. <br />Topsoil stockpiles near the pits, including one large topsoil stockpile neaz the shop/maintenance area, <br />are shown on Maps 22, 28, and 28A. Three stockpiles are located in the northern portion of the <br />permit area and aze shown on Map 21. Two additional large topsoil stockpiles are proposed in <br />association with the South Taylor expansion area (Stockpiles 16D and 16J). These stockpiles are <br />located to the north of the South Taylor pit area, and are depicted on Map 28B. The South Taylor <br />topsoil handling plan is also presented on Map 28B. All soils stockpiles will be protected from <br />erosion and will not be moved without Division approval. <br />Colowyo committed itself in 1981, in its original permit application, to include information in its <br />annual reclamation reports to verify that enough topsoil was being salvaged to replace a sufficient <br />amount of soil on regraded azeas. This information was reported until 1986. The Division in 1987 <br />suspended this monitoring requirement, as the data indicated that sufficient topsoil would be <br />available to meet reclamation needs throughout the life of the mine. The Annual Topsoil Balance <br />inventory and reporting requirement was reinitiated in association with TR-62, and reporting <br />resumed with submittal of the 2005 Annual Reclamation Report. The resumption of the annual <br />reporting requirement was lazgely due to the fact that Colowyo became aware, based on soil balance <br />assessment in 2005, that there was insufficient topsoil in stockpile to meet the 18" average <br />replacement thickness requirement for disturbed azeas that had not yet been topsoiled. <br />Overall life-of--mine topsoil balance for the original permit area as of December 2005, is presented in <br />Table 1, Topsoil Balance, page 2.05-4 of the Permit. Annual Topsoil Balance inventory will be <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance 4 May 2007 <br />Permit Revision 02 Page 44 <br />