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_27_ The soils which will be disturbed by the proposed operation include Glendive loam, Xavre loam, Nihill loam, Rivra gravelly loam variant and Torriorthent- rock outcrop complex. These soils range from loam to sandy loam texture. Values for pH range from 7.6 to 9.0, with the higher value occurring below 19 inches in the Nihill soil. Electrical conductivity values were measured between ,4 and 4.9 mmhos/cm with the higher value occurring again below 14 inches in the Nihill loam. Sodium absortpion ratios (SAR) ranged from .2 to 43.5, again the higher SAR was detected in the Nihi11 loam. Boron was measured ranging from .1 to .3 mg/1. Salt Creek Mining Company proposes stripping anywhere from 12 to 18 inches of topsoil from disturbed areas, depending on the soil type encountered. The steep slopes and thin nature of the Torriorthent soils will prohibit stripping in most cases. No topsoil wi1Z be stripped from areas previously disturbed. It is projected that approximately 6 acre-feet of topsoil will be stripped from all areas to be disturbed. This volume will be sufficient to replace topsoil over 12 to 18 acres of disturbance to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. This will adequately topsoil must of the disturbance, A portion of the remaining disturbed area will be retained as a ranch road which existed prior to the mine. In the areas where the road will be left, it will be reduced in width and outslopes will be reclaimed. Analyses of the disturbed lands material have been submitted which indicate that the material is suitable for reclamation to a depth of 4 to 7 inches (total depth of the samples). aecause this disturbed land will be reclaimed as the only top dressing in some areas and will be the subsoil in alI other cases, a further analysis is required to determine suitability. For this reason, the following stipulation is required: Stipulation No. 6 WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PERMIT ISSUANCE, THE PERMITTEE MUST PROVIDE TXE REGULATORY AUTHORITY WITH AN ANALYSIS OF THE FILL (DISTURBED LANDS) AND ANY OTHER DISTURBED MATERIAL WHICH WILL NOT BE TOPSOILED PRIOR TO REVEGETATION. THIS ANALYSIS WILL HE DONE ON AN APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLES TAKEN TO A DEPTH OF AT LEAST 4 FEET, AND WILL INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED PARAMETERS FOR A DETERFIINATION OF SUIT- ABILITY FOR RECLAMATION. R11 topsoil stockpiles will be adequately protected from surface erosion. Diversion ditches will be constructed around the stockpiles and stockpiled material will be seeded to establish a protective vegetative cover. The applicant proposes to test the soil and add the appropriate fertilizers one year after seeding and planting. The applicant's justification for this is that fertilization prior to seeding will encourage undesirable weedy species to invade the reclaimed site. The Division agrees with this contention, in part. How- ever, because Phosphorous is relatively irrmiobile and doesn't readily leach into the soil, it is best to incorporate it into the soil prior to seeding. The following stipulation is, therefore, necessary: