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Concerning the potential future facility locations (samples 11, 12, 13), Twen[ymile Coal Company acknowledges <br />the Binco series has a high clay content. Since this soil is currently productive and under cultivation, problems due <br />to texture can probably be overcome through proper soil handling techniques. Care will be utilized during <br />stripping, regrading and seeding to minimize compaction. Soils will not be worked when very wet or very dry. <br />Ripping during regrading and prior to seeding will be performed to reduce compaction. <br />The Binco soil can be salvaged in two lifts. The upper 12 inches will be salvaged during the first lift. this layer has <br />lower pH and more organic matter than the remaining subsoil. It will be segregated and stored. The second lifr <br />material may be salvaged to 60 inches if needed. No overburden materials are planned to be substituted for <br />topsoil. Topsoil is not planned to be supplemented with other materials. For present and potential productivity of <br />soils, see response to Rule 2.04.10, Vegetation Information. <br />EASTERN MINING DISTRICT <br />Dewaterine Facility <br />The Eastern Mining District Dewatering Facility will require salvaging and stockpiling approximately 13,360 CY <br />of topsoil from the access road and facility site. During the upgrading of the road, approximately 3,600 CY of <br />topsoil will be windrowed to the side of the road. The topsoil along the length of the road is approximately 30 <br />inches deep. The facility site will require salvaging and stockpiling approximately 8,300 CY of topsoil. The <br />topsoil from the site area is approximately 30 inches deep. The stockpiled topsoil, which is located within the pad <br />area, will be stabilized with the topsoil stockpile stabilizing seed mixture. <br />Bleeder Fan <br />The bleeder fan facility will require salvaging and stockpiling approximately 4,763 CY of topsoil from the access <br />• road and the facility site. The topsoil will be placed in two topsoil stockpiles and the location of the stockpiles is <br />shown on Figure 16E(1). The stockpiled topsoil, which is located within the pad area, will be stabilized with the <br />topsoil stockpile stabilizing seed mixture. <br />Stockpiled Topsoil <br />As shown on Map 29, Reclamation, topsoil which has been stockpiled as a result of Energy Mine No. 1 activity will <br />be used for the reclamation of the refuse area, portal area, and material storage azea. The soil samples collected at <br />Mine No. 1, which would best describe the topsoil stockpiles, are those of Heil (1978). the data collected by Heil is <br />contained in Table 59, Classification and Laboratory Characterization for Soil Profiles Representative of Soil <br />Materials found on the "Borrow Area" at the Energy Mine Site. The available information was evaluated to <br />determine the suitability of the stockpiled soil as a source of topsoil. The ratings were based on the criteria of Table <br />21, Suspect Levels for Determining Soil Suitability, and Table 22, Criteria for Evaluating Soil Reconstruction <br />Material. On the basis of these criteria, the stockpiled topsoil would be rated as "good" to "fair". <br />The best evidence that the stockpiled topsoil is a suitable soil material is the Bureau of Land Management Energy <br />Mineral Resource Inventory and Analysis (BLM-EMRIA) revegetation test site which was initiated in 1978. One <br />aspect of the BLM-EMRIA study was to evaluate the effect of respread topsoil depths on plant growth and <br />establishment. The depths ranged from 0 inches (regraded spoil) to 18 inches of reapplied topsoil. Data collected <br />from drill seeded plots in 1981 demonstrated that a total plant cover of 74.5% and production of 3,926 Ibs/acre <br />occurred in plots with 8 inches of the described topsoil. In 1985, those values increased to 89.7% and 4,957 <br />Ibs/acre. For 4 inches of topsoil, cover and production in 1981 were 77.0% and 3,647 Ibs/acre. Those values <br />increased to 80.3% and 4,672 Ibs/acre in 1985. In fact, the spoil material itself was successful in supporting plant <br /> <br />~P3'R®VE© APR 2 4 2000 <br />Permit Renewal No. 3 2.04-49 1 I/I/99 <br />