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the pit and to create a stable reclaimed slope. Bacltfill and grading has been accomplished using the <br />• 650 dragline, dozers, and scrapers to achieve a stable final postmining configuration. Designed <br />drainage channels and stock ponds aze constructed to control and prevent undue erosion while <br />tevegetation is establishing. Once vegetation is re-established, these structures remain as an integral <br />part of the posttninatg Landscape. <br />Topsoil handling is conducted with dozers and scrapers. Live handling of topsoil has only been done <br />on limited basis due to mining azea configurations. The majority of the topsoil has been placed in <br />storage stockpiles for periods of three years or more before replacement. <br />Topsoil and Spoil Monitoring <br />SCC monitors the salvage, storage, and redistribution of soil and spoil handling operations at Seneca <br />II-West Mine. Specific programs include documenting soil recovery, verifying soil redistribution <br />thickness, dete*~*++~+~g final graded spoil suitability, determining soil fertility, evaluating plant rooting <br />chazacteristics, and completing an annual soil balance. <br />Soil fertility and spoil quality samples aze collected periodically from soil/spoil samples, which aze <br />randomly located using a 500-foot grid. Post mine soil piu, dug with a backhoe to a five-foot depth, <br />are used to evaluate plant-rooting characteristics and to compare soil/spoil profile data with site- <br />specific revegetation data. These pits aze located using an intensity of one pit per twenty-five aces. <br />Post mine soil pits aze placed within redamadon blocks that have been soiled and seeded for a <br />minimum of three years. Similar minimum time frames aze used fox monitoring post mine vegetation. <br />The permanent vegetation has generally established suffidendy after three to four yeazs to evaluate <br />interactions between rooting depths and soil/spoil quality. <br />• Topsoil Replacement <br />In developing the topsoil replacement plan; SCC gave consideration to the replacement of varying <br />thicknesses of topsoil within specified portions of the reclau~ation area. In addition to azeas in which <br />the "standard" mean replacement thickness (1.6 Eeet) is conducted, consideration was given to <br />replacement of both "thinner" and "thicker" soils in various locations. The overall vegetation <br />diversity within the reclaimed azeas is enhanced by such variation in topsoil replacement thickness. <br />Topsoil is replaced with Caterpillaz 637 saapers, at variable replacement depths based on slope grade, <br />aspect, and vegetation type to be planted. SCC is requited, by Permit C-1982-057 and Section <br />4.06.4(2)(6) of Colorado's Regulations for Coal Mining, to document and record the soil replacement <br />thickness for each reclamation block using a minimum sampling intensity of one hole per five acres. <br />Slopes of 30% or more require special techtdques to improve moisture retention and reduce erosion. <br />"Hummocking", is the process of pock-mazking the replaced topsoil with dozer dips, or by track hoe. <br />Revegetation Progrrm <br />Initial consideration in the development of the peunanent seed mixes and seedling planting lists <br />included the anticipated reclaimed site conditions and the desired revegetation commuttities to <br />achieve apast-mining land use Eor livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. SCC uses appropriate <br />seeding and planting techniques to achieve a rolling post-mine landscape and lasting landform where a <br />permanent, productive, and varied vegetation of predominately native speces is established. Specific <br />• goals which factored into the permanent seed mixes and seedling lists includes rapid and Long- <br />term surface stabilization, ease of establishment, maximum use of native species, adequate <br />species diversity, high levels of utility for livestock and wildlife, good forage production <br />Sentca II-IL'i2006 Award Nomination page 2 <br />