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eh <br />ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC. <br />u <br />facing slopes, upland soils or valley bottom soils. For this reason stripping a <br />predetermined depth of material, some amount from 6 to 16 inches, from all areas <br />to be disturbed (except Map Unit X24) is recommended. Stripping some amount <br />from 6 to 16 inches will save the surface layers with the lowest clay content, <br />highest organic matter content and best soil filth. Sixteen inches depth would <br />include most of the A horizon of the thickest epipedons and all of the A horizon of <br />the typical epipedons. These surface horizons aze better sources of plant growth <br />media than the other horizons, though Table I-8 (Evaluation of Soil Reconstruction <br />Material) does not indicate this due to limitations in the evaluation criteria set forth <br />in Table I-5, Soil Reconstruction Material for Drastically Disturbed Lands. The <br />exception to the 16-inch stripping depth is within map unit X24, where only <br />10 inches of material should be saved. <br />There is no practical reason for stripping any deeper than 16 inches. <br />• When the mine is abandoned and final reclamation occurs, the waste materials, <br />buildings, etc. should be removed and the ground leveled back to the pre-existing <br />subsoils. The pre-existing subsoils could be scazified. The surface can then be <br />redressed with up to 16 inches of topsoil. A topsoil redressing of anywhere from 6 <br />to 16 inches over apre-existing subsoil would be completely adequate for revege- <br />tation. <br />Suggestions have been made that because "suitable" material extends to <br />depths of 40 inches or more, the material should be stripped and stockpiled. It <br />should be pointed out that these aze not azeas to be surface mined with topsoil being <br />redressed over spoil, but areas to have surface use and subsequent redressing of <br />topsoils over subsoils. <br /> <br /> <br />I-?9 <br />