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acceptable levels during normal spoiling operations. The Lennox coal outcrop sampling plan shown on <br />Exhibit 6-6 includes those areas having excessive clay levels. The unsuitable shale and clay strata <br />encountered in the reduced highwall or upper three feet of final graded spoil will be scarified prior to <br />being covered with topsoil. Deep ripping or chisel plowing will be used to decrease compaction, <br />increase aeration and water movement, and increase plant rooting depths (Josiah, 19861. The third <br />condition listed above does not exist at Seneca II-W since the average particle size analysis shows a <br />percentage breakdown of 26 percent sand, 45 percent silt, and 29 percent clay (Tab 6, Table 6-61. <br />Postmine Spoil Characteristics. The resultant loamy textured spoil will possess suitable physical <br />qualities which are conducive to plant growth. The available water holding capacity will be low to <br />moderately high (approximately 0.07 to 0.16 inches of water per inch of soil), permeability moderately <br />slow to moderately rapid (about 0.6 to 4.0 inches per hourl, and cation exchange capacity moderately <br />low to moderate 18 to 15 milliequivalents per 100 gramsl. Since the overburden predominantly <br />contains hard rock fragments, the spoil will be skeletal in nature. <br />The chemical properties of the spoil will also be favorable for plant growth. Sodium and salt levels in <br />the overburden are low and should pose no severe problem to successful reclamation. Because nitrate- <br />nitrogen concentrations are moderate, trace element concentrations are generally moderate, and pH <br />levels are slightly acidic to neutral, nutrient availability should be good. This spoil, overlaid with one <br />foot of suitable topsoil, will possess favorable physical and chemical qualities and will be a suitable <br />plant root growth medium (Barth and Martin, 1982; Schuman et al., 19851 <br />Spoil erodibility is discussed in the Probable Hydrologic Consequences (Tab 171 and the Revegetation <br />Plan (Tab 22) Surface Stabilization sections. Soil and topsoil erodibility is discussed in the Soil Survey <br />(Tab 91~ <br />Topsoil Management Plan <br />The Seneca II-W Mine topsoil management plan, based predominantly upon the detailed soil survey <br />contained in Tab 9 and secondarily on historic reclamation at the Seneca II Mine, was developed to <br />ensure that the most suitable topsoil within the disturbance area is salvaged. The management plan <br />evaluates the topsoil resources, recommends salvage <br />6 Revised 4/24/91 <br />