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Reclamation Plan: Soil Stabilization Techniques • As outlined in Section 2.05.4(c) of permit C-84-062, pages 2.05-66 through 2.05-70, several techniques are currently being used to minimize the formation of excessive rills and gullies. One important preliminary component of soil stabilization is creating a suitable postmining topography. CYCC's backfilling and regrade work has resulted in a postmining topography which approximates the premining conditions and facilitates drainage across the reclaimed land. However, irregardless of topography, newly topsoiled and seeded areas are normally prone to erosion due to the lack of well established vegetative and litter cover. Until an adequate ground cover is established, other means of soil stabilization are necessary. The major portions of the soil stabilization plan include rough grading, chisel plowing seeding and contour furrowing or ripping topsoil instead of inscribing contour furrows. Once the topsoil is reapplied on the roughened graded spoil, farm tractors are utilized to chisel plow the topsoil. Chisel plowing alleviates compaction caused by the scrapers and creates a bond between the graded • spoil and topsoil. Such a bond eliminates the possibility of topsoil slippage and also tends to promote root penetration into the spoil. After chisel plowing, the topsoiled areas are drill seeded with the appropriate seed mixture. The exception to mechanical seeding are areas which are broadcast seeded. Broadcast seeding is undertaken in areas which are so steep as to preclude drill seeding operations. With both techniques, the seed mixtures contain several species which establish relatively quickly and thus supply initial stabilization to the topsoil. Following drill seeding, either contour furrows are inscribed or the topsoil is ripped. When properly constructed, contour furrows have been proven to be very effective in reducing overland flow, thus preventing excessive rilling and gullying. General guidelines for the construction for contour furrows are presented nri pages 24-6 through 24-8. In areas where slopes are 4:1 or less, soil ripping may be the major stabilization technique. When topsoil is ripped, a minimum of three shanks will be moved across the reclamation along the contour. Distance between rip marks will not exceed ten (10) feet. The resulting rips will facilitate ir.ereased water absorption, thus decreasinn . the amount of water available for overland flow. 24-2