REP21397

• Permit No: C1980005
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 4/4/1997
• Doc Name: 1996 Annual Reclamation Report
• Permit Index Doc Type: ANNUAL RECLAMATION REPORT
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Postmine soil pits are placed within reclamation blacks that have been soiled and seeded
for a minimum of three years. Similar minimum time frames are used Eor monitoring postmine
vegetation. The perman ent vegetation has generally established suff iciently after three to
four years to evaluate interactions between rooting characteristics and soil/spoil quality
(Schafer et. al., 1979) .
Seneca Coal Company did not conduct spoil or soil monitoring during the 1996 calendar year
due to the limited amount of final graded spoil available. Historical soil and spoil
quality data for the 1983 through 1988 reclamation blocks are presented and discussed in
previous Topsoil and Spoil Monitoring reports (PCC, 1987 and 19891 and the Annual
Reclamation Reports (PCC, 1991,1992, 1993, 1994) that have been submitted to the Division.
Additional soil/spoil fertility samples are planned Eor the 1997 field season.
Spoil Sampling in the Lennox Hig hwall Reduction Area

SCC is required to sample final graded spoil Erom the Lennox highwall reduction area on a
300 foot grid and test for sodium. Exposed sodic strata with an unsuitable SAR level will
either be buried in the final pit or covered with two to three Eeet of suitable spoil prior
to soil replacement. Final grading was initiated in the Le nnox highwall reduction area
during the 1994 field season. Pinal grading was completed prior to October 1, 19 95 as
specified in the Divisions February 1, 1995 letter. Spoil samples were collected from
this area during the 1996 field season. The analysis of those samples is presented in Table
96.4, Lennox Highwa 11 Graded Area Sample Analysis.
Wolf Creek Spoil
SCC ie required to sample and analyze final graded spoil from the Wolf Czeek mining area
prior to soil replacement. Spoil is sampled on a 300 foot horizontal grid and tested for
pH, acid base potential (AH P), and soil salinity (EC). Suitable spoil topdressing
(subsoil) is replaced prior to soil redistribution where acid strata (pH <9 and ABP <-H)
are encountered. The monitoring program is outlined on Pages 6-153, 6-153a, 6.164, and 9-
40 of Tabs 6 and 9, Volumes 3 and 7, Permit C-HO-005. No final graded spoil samples were
taken in 1996. Analysis far existing graded areas can be found in 1994 Annual Reclamation
Report, (PWCC, 1995).
1996 Soil Replacement Thickness
SCC ie required by CDMG to closely observe and routinely inspect soil replacement thickness
in the Wadge and Wolf Creek reclamation areas at Seneca II Mine. This monitoring
requirement is included as Item 5 of the Topsoil puality Control Program presented in
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