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~*' . <br />rn~ <br />'~ <br />An investigation was conducted of the mine site to determine whether prime farmlands <br />existed in or adjacent to the five-year permit area. The investigation revealed that there <br />are no soil map units that have been designated prime farmland by the U.S. Soil <br />Conservation Service within or adjacent to the mine site. This information is one of the <br />criteria listed in Rule 2.04.12(2) as acceptable to make a negative determination. Based <br />on this, the Division finds that no prime farmlands exist in the five-year mine permit <br />area. <br />A similar investigation was conducted for the mine loadout facility and its associated <br />haul road. A small portion of the loadout haul road has been constructed on soils <br />mapped by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service as prime farmland. The Division finds <br />that the soil units 70C -Unnamed silt loan -and d71 - Almy loam -identified on Soils <br />Map D-3-15, is the only area of prime farmland in or adjacent to the loadout permit <br />area. No additional disturbance is proposed for this unit of prime farmland or any <br />other unit within this five-year permit term. <br />On behalf of the landowner, the operator requested that the haul road, which disturbed <br />a small portion of prime farmland, be retained after mining. Because Rule 4.25.1(2) <br />exempts coal preparation plants, support facilities and roads of underground mines used <br />over an extended period of time and affecting a minimal amount of land from the <br />performance standards for prime farmland, the haul road will remain in place for the <br />landowner's convenience rather than being reclaimed. <br />A. Comparisons to determine revegetation success shall be based on crop production <br />standards which the Division has approved (4.25.2(3)). <br />B. The Division previously granted a variance from the requirement to prepare <br />regraded spoil prior to soil replacement. This variance is based on site-specific <br />evidence that such preparation will not enhance the capability of the reconstructed <br />soil to achieve equivalent or higher levels of yield (4.25.4(2)). <br />C. The Division previously approved the planting of a perennial crop to be used as <br />hay on prime farmlands. This has been shown to be a common long-term use of <br />prime farmlands in the surrounding area (4.24.5(2)). <br />c:\wp61\ntc\rnfind <br />zs <br />