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-45- Since no topsoil was salvaged, an analysis of the original Orchard Valley Mine bench material N olume 9 - Soils Tests Appendix) was conducted. The analysis indicates that the material is suitable as a plant growth medium. This is also true for the storage and loadout areas. Vegetative growth on fill outslopes has occurred. At final reclamation in these areas, the operator has committed to ripping and testing this material for fertility. Fertilizers and amendments will be added as necessary. The area will then be seeded and mulched. At the Orchard Valley West Mine, a total to twelve (12) acres was disturbed--approximately 10.5 acres of Del son Loam west of the East Roatcap Creek, and about 1.5 acres of Sara ton Stoney Loam on the east side of this creek. Due to the high rock content and steep slopes, the Saraton Stoney Loam soils were not salvaged, but topsoil will be replaced during final reclamation using the Del son Loam soils. A total depth of 32 inches of Del son Loam was salvaged allowing fora replacement depth of 24 inches over the twelve (12) acre area during final reclamation. Current literature, as cited in Yolume 9, indicates that a 24-inch average replacement depth will support a vegetative community consistent with the approved post-mining land use ob,)ectives. Because of the limited available area at the Orchard Valley West Mine, topsoil is stored in two areas--outslopes of the portal bench, and a topsoil stockpile north of the portal bench. Topsoil on the bench outslopes was spread to a depth of approximately four (4) feet, seeded, and stabilized with an erosion control blanket. The topsoil stockpile is protected from erosion by seeding and mulching. During initial development of the West Ridge waste disposal pile, approximately 24 inches of topsoil was salvaged. As waste pile expansion occurs, soil material will be analyzed to determine optimal salvage depths. Currently, 8-9 inches of topsoil is salvaged from this area. Topsoil is stockpiled and protected from erosion by seeding and mulching. Of the four (4) feet of cover placed over this waste disposal pile, the outer 8-9 inches is topsoil. The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. XI. VEGETATION (2.04.10, 2.05.4(21(e), 4.15) Information pertaining to vegetation baseline may be found on pages 70-75, Part 2.04 of Volume 1 and in the Vegetation Appendix of Volume 9A. Information pertaining to the revegetation plan and vegetation success criteria may be found on pages 67-76, Part 2.05 of Volume 1 and in the Vegetation Appendix of Volume 9A. Disturbance at the Orchard Yalley Mine began in late 1975 and continues to date. Initial disturbance occurred prior to any requirements for preparation of vegetation inventories, thus portions of this mine site were not surveyed. However, as new areas are proposed to be disturbed, they are first inventoried. A total of four vegetation inventories have been completed to date at this mine site. The first inventory was conducted in 1977 and provided a brief qualitative description of the vegetation types to comply with the existing