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Scarification and ripping of the regraded slope so <br />as to relieve compaction and allow for root <br />penetration and aeration. <br />Replacement of a sufficient depth of a plant growth <br />medium so as to provide for a water holding <br />capacity within the rooting zone that will support <br />irrigated agricultural productivity comparable to <br />pre-disturbance levels. <br />Soil physical data and analyses supplied by the applicant <br />for topsoil, subsoil and colluvium indicate that available <br />water at field capacity would vary from 3.41 inches to 4.81 <br />inches within the identified rooting zone (44 inch depth) in <br />orchard land immediately adjacent to the disturbed area. <br />The analyses indicate that the physical characteristics and <br />water holding capacity for the colluvial deposit are con- <br />sistent throughout its entire depth. Thus mixing of the <br />material as a result of construction and reclamation would <br />not reduce water-holding capacity. <br />Assuming that 10.9 acres of disturbed land will be <br />retopsoiled, and that there are 5,243 cubic yards of <br />stockpiled topsoil and 15,206 cubic yards of subsoil <br />suitable as a plant growth medium, the total soil layer <br />would be 14 inches in depth. This compares favorably with <br />the 13-inch depth which existed prior to disturbance. The <br />water holding capacity of the reclaimed land would be <br />comparable to orchard soils adjacent to the permit area. <br />3. Summary and Findings <br />The Division has examined the probable hydrologic consequence <br />due to mining operations for groundwater and surface water <br />systems at the Terror Creek Loadout. The mine will take the <br />necessary measures to ensure that mining will not affect the <br />hydrologic regime (2.07.6 (2)(c)). <br />IV. Topsoil <br />A. Baseline soils information can be found in Section 2.04.9 of the <br />permit application. Map 3 shows the locations of the soil mapping <br />units. The operator's topsoil salvage and redistribution plan can <br />be found in Section 2.05 of the permit application. Map 8 details <br />the Topsoil Handling Plan and contains the locations of the topsoil <br />stockpiles. <br />Prior to construction of the loadout facility, topsoil was removed <br />and stockpiled. There are two topsoil stockpile locations. A large <br />pile is located on the west side of the permit area, and a smaller <br />pile is locate on the east side of the permit area, near the county <br />road. <br />Terror Creek Loadout Page 16 <br />