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-34- In general, the surface layer is the zone where any degradation of soil characteristics occurs on a mining operation through such things as deposition of coal, watering for dust suppression, and deposition of salts leached from nearby coal stockpiles. If the surface layer has been degraded by surface activities, this layer can easily be isolated during regrading. To determine whether the surface layer of the Munger Canyon Mine bench has been degraded by surface operations, and to determine whether high levels in the surface layer elevated the salt, SAR and pH levels of the four foot composite samples, the following stipulation is required: Stipulation No. 6 WITHIN 60 DAYS OF PERMIT ISSUANCE THE APPLICANT MUST PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE FILL AND ANY OTHER DISTURBED MATERIAL WHICH WILL NOT BE TOPSOILED PRIOR TO REVEGETATION. THIS SHALL CONSIST OF A SINGLE COMPOSITE SAMPLE OF THE SURFICIAL 6 INCHES OF MATERIAL TAKEN FROM SEVERAL LOCATIONS ON THE BENCH. THE SAMPLE SHALL BE ANALYZED, AT A MINIMUM, FOR pH, ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY AND SODIUM ADSORPTION RATIO. IF THE ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE MATERIAL IS NOT SUITABLE AS PLANT GROWTH MEDIUM, THE APPLICANT SHALL REVISE THE PERMIT APPLICATION TO PROVIDE AN APPROVABLE PLAN FOR SELECTIVE HANDLING AND ISOLATION OF THE UNSUITABLE MATERIAL DURING REGRADING OPERATIONS. THE PLAN SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIVISION WITHIN 60 DAYS FOLLOWING SUBMITTAL OF THE FILL MATERIAL ANALYSIS. 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. However, because phosphorous is relatively immobile and does not readily leach into the soil, it is best to incorporate it into the soil prior to seeding. The following stipulation is therefore necessary. Stipulation No. 7 TOPSOIL MUST BE ANALYZED FOR FERTILIZER ELEMENTS (N,P,K) PRIOR TO SEEDING. IF THE SOIL IS FOUND TO BE PHOSPHOROUS DEFICIENT, PHOSPHOROUS MUST BE INCORPORATED INTO THE TOPSOIL DURING THE RESPREADING PROCESS. ANY OTHER FERTILIZER ELEMENTS WHICH ARE DEFICIENT IN THE TOPSOIL SHALL BE ADDED AFTER ONE YEARS GROWTH OF VEGETATION AT A TIME OF YEAR APPROVED BY THE DIVISION. The Munger Canyon site is located in an area which characteristically receives less than 10 inches of rainfall annually. This may be detrimental to revegetation. For this reason, surface manipulation of the soils to enhance moisture retention and reduce erosion during reclamation will be initiated by the applicant prior to seeding. Salt Creek Mining Company has an approved soil manipulation plan for the adjacent McClave Canyon Mine, but has not committed to utilizing this plan at the plunger Canyon Mine,. Therefore, the following stipulation is required: