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SHEPHERD MILLER <br />20 December 1994 <br />Mr. John Hardaway <br />Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company <br />P.O. Box 191 <br />Victor, CO 80860 <br />Dear John: <br />In response to your request for information concerning topsoil stockpile depth the <br />following is submitted for you consideration. <br />Topsoil Stockpile Depth <br />There is no magical number to be used to designate a maximum topsoil depth. Topsoil <br />stockpiles are typically constructed with a particular depth, surface area, and slopes to <br />conform with existing conditions of topsoil volumes, hauling distance, available land area, <br />and topographic position. As long as the topsoil stockpile is physically stable, there is <br />no limit to stockpile depth. <br />A major concern associated with stockpiling topsoil is the loss of soil microbial <br />populations of bacteria and fungi. There are three primary factors that influence the rate <br />and overall degree of microbial loss in topsoil stockpiles. The first is related to the <br />development of saturated conditions in the stockpile. This condition, for example, would <br />occur if the stockpile where placed in a low lying area that accumulated water. A <br />stockpile that becomes anaerobic will sign'rficantly reduce the microbial population and <br />alter the species present and render the soil•void of microbial species that are needed <br />in the process of nutrient cycling. <br />The second factor is time. In general, the longer soil is stored, the greater reduction in <br />microbial biomass will be experienced. The decline in active microbial biomass appears <br />to be exponential and approaches zero in three to five years in portions of the stockpile <br />Cansuhmd Ennmrnnrmal Lr Grotrr6ruml Enguvrrs <br />1600 Sprch~ Porn[ Ch, tiwce P <br />Fur[ CoOins. CO 411525 <br />Phone (303) d3J-i=FI-} <br />Faa (303) }4i-75~t0 <br />