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-67- X2. Topsoil - Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(5), 2.05.4(2)(d), and 4.06 Soils Resources Information is presented on pages 50-54 of the Bear No. 1 and No. 2 application and pages 2.04-39 through 2.04-93 and in Exhibit 9 of the Bear No. 3 application. Information on topsoil salvage can be found on page 65 of the first application and 2.05-24 of the second application. Topsoil redistribution is addressed on page 7I of the first application and pages 2.05-39 and 4.06-I of the second application. The soil type which has been affected by surface facilities at the Bear No. 1 and No. 2 mines and which will be disturbed by the surface facilities associated with the proposed Bear No. 3 mine on the flood plain of the North Fork is the Breece Loam. The Breece Loam is described as a moderately well drained soil developed on relatively level alluvial fans, flood plains, and terraces characterized by a dark brown Loam surface layer up to 19" thick underlain by a sandy loam to a depth of 60". Composite samples (15" soil cores) taken in the proposed Bear No. 3 facilities area indicate a sandy loam surface, moderate pH and low salinity and sodium adsorption ratio valves (Table 7, page 2.04-41). The applicant proposes to salvage the top 15 inches of the soil at the proposed Bear No. 3 facilities area. The majority of the area disturbed at the existing operation has been disturbed since 1934, and no topsoil was salvaged initially. Other mapping units on the permit area include Beenom-Absarokee Association soils which are shallow, well drained soils on steep mountain side slopes, with thicker deposits developing on the lower portions of the slopes. Moderately sloping uplands and valley side slopes are included in the Absarokee-Work Loam unit, characterized by predominantel_y loamy surface soils overlying sandstone, with soil thicknesses of over 60" in depressions and swales. Previous portal development at the Bear No. 1, No. 2 and at the proposed Bear No. 3 mine has disturbed soils of the Beenom-Absarokee Association, but no further disturbance of this soil is proposed. A number of problems were noted in the P.A.R, of May I8, 1981 regarding topsoil infor- mation provided in the original application. Most of the concerns were satisfied in the applicant's responses to that letter, though a few questions remained, and were included in the review letter of January 18, 1982. The Division noted that the applicant proposed to redistribute a 6" depth of top- soil on 5 acres of the disturbed area including the reclaimed No. 2 portals, the refuse pile and an area north of the river. The application stated that, due to an insufficient volume of topsoil existing in the stockpiles on site, 2400 cubic yards of soil would be imported. The Division requested that the source of the soil be specified and appropriate analyses be provided. In the responses, the applicant stated that arrangements had been made with the Colorado Highway Department and ARCO to salvage topsoil that will be disturbed by the Highway Department's river channel relocation project. The volume of soil will be sufficient, when added to the existing topsoil in storage, to cover the entire regraded area with 6 inches of topsoil. ~;i~ applicant iiae co: ..:i ttew, wi ti~in i~ic application,_to rovide_ analyses Of pH, texture, SAR and EC to the Di vi Sion_prior_to salvage operations. Following topsoil distribution, results of soil fertility testing will be submitted to the Division. Topsoiling operations will be completed by Fal.i of I9~2. The application stated that topsoil would be redistributed with a front-end loader. The Division requested that the applicant be more specific with respect to how topsoil would be distributed and stabilized on the steep slopes of the backfilled portals. In responses, the applicant explained that a small crawler tractor would be used in combination with the loader. The steep face-up area above the backfilled portals will not be topsoiled, but a netting will be tacked onto the face for stabilization after seeding.