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State Reg. <br />2.04.9 II. SALVAGEABLE TOPSOIL <br />Topsoil (according to Soil Survey Manual definition No. 4, pg. 185) will be <br />segregated in accordance with Section 30 CFR Chapter VII, ~816.22(a), <br />(b),(f). A one-lift topsoil operation will be utilized for all soil types whereby <br />"A", "B", and "C" soil horizons are mixed when salvaged. This method of <br />topsoil removal is desirable at the Seneca II Mine because many of the soils <br />are shallow, soil profile development is minimal (thick, organic rich "A" <br />horizons directly overlie shale and sandstone bedrock), landscape slopes are <br />steep to excessive (equipment mobility and efficiency is severely restricted) <br />and/or only the "A" horizon is salvageable (Aaberg - 35 and Binco - 10) due <br />to excessive clay contents in lower horizons. <br />The salvaged topsoil will have suitable growth medium characteristics as <br />determined by the soil survey and the loboratory analyses (see Tab 9, Table 2 <br />through 4 and Attachment Tables 9-2-5 and 9-2-6). The interpretations <br />• used to assess soil material as sources of topsoil were based on the <br />cumulative guidelines prepared by the Bureau of Land Management - 1977, <br />Montana Department of State Lands - 1977, Soil Conservation Service - <br />1971, Wyoming Department of Environmental duality - 1976, National <br />Cooperative Soil Survey - 1978 and the Soil Conservation Service - 1978. <br />The maximum soil salvage depth will constantly be evaluated on site by the <br />equipment operator and reclamation foreman using field observation tests <br />including soil color, rooting depth, clay content, and coarse fragment <br />content. Periodic field inspections will also be made by Seneca's soil <br />scientist.. Soil samples will be collected to correlate field procedures with <br />laboratory data. The topsoil removal area at any one time shall be <br />minimized to prevent both wind and water erosion. <br />The following is an estimate, by soil map unit, of the acreages and volumes <br />of topsoil available in the permit area. The suggested stripping depths are <br />identical to those recommended by Fly and Associates, Texas Instruments, <br />• Inc., and Seneca Coals, Ltd. (see Tab 9, Alternate Table 6 and the Topsoil <br />Salvage Isopach and Stockpile Locations, Exhibit 9-2). Two topsoil recovery <br />depths are suggested by Fly and Associates. The deeper soil recovery depth <br />9-3 <br />