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• Topsoil Replacement Depth <br />Approximately 102.8 acre-feet of suitable topsoil is available for <br />replacement in Mine Areas 1 and 4 over the life-of-mine (1988-1989) <br />operation at Nucla Mine (Table 9-3-2). The disturbance area requiring <br />topsoil replacement totals about 73.4 acres (Table 9-3-2 and Exhibit <br />9-3, Topsoil Balance Plan). By dividing the number of acre-feet <br />available topsoil (102.8) by the number of acres to be or that are <br />disturbed (73.4), it is estimated that approximately 1.4 feet (17 <br />inches) of suitable topsoil is available to be replaced. <br />Approximately 9.9 acre-feet of suitable topsoil/subsoil is available for <br />replacement in Mine Areas 2 and 3 over the life-of-mine (1988-1989) <br />operation at Nucla Mine (Table 9-3-3). The disturbance area requiring <br />topsoil replacement totals about 29.9 acres (Table 9-3-3 and Exhibit <br />9-3, Topsoil Balance Plan). By dividing the number of acre-feet <br />available topsoil/subsoil (9.9) by the number of acres to be or that are <br />disturbed (29.9), it is estimated that approximately 0.3 feet (4 inches) <br />of suitable topsoil/subsoil is available to be replaced. <br />Topsoil Depth Requirements <br />Topsoil is generally beneficial for increasing infiltration, improving <br />seedbed and rooting mediums for germination and plant establishment, <br />enhancing nutrient cycling, and serving as a source of seed, rhizomes, <br />and root cuttings that can promote species diversity. Topsoil depth <br />requirements on mined lands are site specific. The quality of topsoil <br />and spoil materials, climatic factors, seeded plant specie requirements, <br />and concurrent reclamation practices all appear to influence the optimal <br />topsoil replacement depth for a specific mine site (Pinchak et al., <br />1985). Often, the quality of spoil material to be covered by topsoil is <br />the major controlling factor (Schuman and Power, 1980; Barth and Martin, <br />1982). Together, the ultimate topsoil replacement depth and resultant <br />spoil quality con greatly influence productivity and longevity of the <br />• vegetation established on reclaimed lands (Schuman et al., 1985). <br />9-3-11 Revised 08/05/88 <br />