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c.:,; ~ • <br />~l <br />t<; 4.0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS <br />>. <br />~: <br />, ~'a. <br />4.1 Summary <br />" On July 15, 1994 an overburden/soil sampling program was completed by personnel from Cedar <br />r~ Creek Associates, Inc. and TerraMatrix at Energy Fuels Mining Company's Raton Creek Mines project site <br />~:'~ following final site grading. The objectives of this sampling program were to determine the suitability of <br />overburden as a topsoil substitute material and to further confirm the suitability of this same material as a <br />~~ 'cap° for the constructed coal refuse pile. Following a site reconnaissance, ten sample sites were <br />selected representing the dominant conditions within the project area. Six samples were collected at <br />~- each sample site, representing selected depth increments between 0 and 48 inches, resulting in a total of <br />G:i•~ <br />60 samples collected. The samples were delivered to the Cooperative Extension Service laboratory on <br />'~ the campus of Colorado State University for laboratory analysis. The results of these analyses were <br />~'" analyzed by Cedar Creek and compared to established suitability guidelines developed by Wyoming and <br />y independent researchers (Schafer 1979, Sutton et al. 1981, Wyoming Department of Environmental <br />~~:- Quality 1989). Contacts were also made with the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (Waldren <br />1994a and 1994b) in this regard. The results of seven past overburden and soil sampling efforts <br />~;~ completed between 1982 and 1994 were also reviewed and incorporated into the analysis. <br />~;r All overburden samples•collected during July, 1994 are considered to represent suitable topsoil. <br />~~ substitute material with respect to the chemical parameters for which the samples were analyzed. The <br />values found for pH (with one exception), EC, acid-base potential, SAR, Zn, Cu, and B are alt classed as <br />suitable according to guidelines developed for this purpose by the State of Wyoming and independent <br />researchers (Schafer 1979, Sutton et al. 1981, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality 1989). <br />Two of nine overburden samples exhibited marginal values for Se, though the material is still considered <br />acceptable as a substitute material with respect to this parameter. It can also be noted that, where parallel <br />sample data exists, the overburden values for these parameters, excepting a few higher micronutrient <br />values, compare favorably with data resulting from analyses conducted on endemic soil material samples <br />collected on site in 1982 and 1983 (Neve 1982a, 1982b, 1982c,1 983). The 1994 values are also broadly <br />comparable for these parameters to the data derived from the IME and EFMC sampling programs <br />5 conducted in 1989 and 1994, respectively. <br />~;y <br />Textures for the 60 samples collected in July ranged from sandy loam to sandy clay. These textures <br />f ~ are considered suitable for materials proposed as topsoil substitutes and should pose no constraints with <br />I ~~: <br />respect to reclamation, assuming care is take during the implementation of reclamation activities. <br />~; <br />~.' <br />13 <br />Y~ <br />-Y~ <br />