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poor quality inflows from tributary alluvial aquifers, will be mitigated by dilution. <br />The Division has reviewed the 1987-2001 Annual Hydrology Reports for the Seneca <br />II Mine, and previous statements of probable hydrologic consequences compiled by <br />Seneca Coal Company and the Division. Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(c), the <br />assessment of the probable consequences of the proposed mining operation and the <br />assessment of the probable cumulative impact of all anticipated mining in the azea <br />on the hydrologic balance, as required by Rule 2.05.6(3) have been made. The <br />proposed operation has been found to prevent material damage to the hydrologic <br />balance outside the permit azea. <br />IV. Topsoil <br />Information regazding topsoil maybe found in Volume 7, Tab 9 of the original permit <br />application package. <br />Information in the original findings document for Seneca II Mine (August 10, 1981) <br />identified two concerns; hea~ry clay concentration in certain soil types and, limited soil <br />salvaging in steep slope azeas. To mitigate the heavy clay concentration, Seneca Coal <br />Company proposed stripping topsoil in single lifts to mix different soil orders and to <br />dilute the heavy clay concentration. This salvaged topsoil is either taken drrectly to <br />regraded spoils or to a topsoil stockpile. Seneca Coal Company proposes to continue this <br />practice except, when feasible, topsoil will be salvaged in two lifts and redistributed <br />directly on regraded areas. This practice promotes the natural regeneration of existing <br />species. <br />Steep slopes (40-60%) are encountered within the Seneca II Mine permit azea. A <br />stipulation requiring approval of a-variance from topsoil salvaging on those areas was <br />placed on the original permit approval. A request for vaziance from topsoil salvaging of <br />some steep slope areas as identified on Exhibit 9-3, was submitted as part of the Wolf <br />Creek Permit Revision. This vaziance request for the Wolf Creek Permit Revision Area <br />was approved by the Division on September 25, 1984. <br />Seneca Coal Company was originally (1981) approved to return approximately 1.4 feet <br />(15-18 inches) of highly suitable topsoil to regraded azeas. As addressed in the Wolf <br />Creek Permit Revision and approved by the Division, the depth of topsoil replacement <br />was reduced to approximately 12.2 inches. To verify compliance of this topsoil <br />replacement depth, Seneca Coal Company committed to a final topsoil balance survey for <br />the duration of mining. To verify compliance, Seneca Coal Company has expanded the <br />quality control program as addressed on pages 9-40 and 9-41 of the revised permit <br />document with a commitment to annual topsoil balance surveys. <br />As part of the 1994 Midterm Review, Seneca incorporated a current topsoil balance into <br />the permit. All of the existing topsoil piles were resurveyed in the Spring of 1996. <br />Approximately 379.7 acre-feet of soil was stockpiled at the Seneca II Mine as of May 15, <br />31 <br />