1990-04-27_REPORT - C1980005 (3)

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beneficial for root growth, water and air movement, water and nutrient availability, and ' overall minesoil productivity (Ashby et al ., 1984). A compaction evaluation was completed for the upper four feet of spoil in each backhoe pit. Non-compact loose spoil was identified at 23 (80 percent) of the sample sites. Slightly compact spoil occurred beneath the subsoil-spoil interface at sites WC-125, ' WC-126, and WC-130. Root penetration will not be restricted significantly by the slight degree of compaction. Very compact spoil was identified beneath the subsoil-spoil ' interface at sites WC-104, WC-106, and WC-111. These sites were all located on previous reclamation roads. Peabody recommends that all maintained reclamation roads be scarified prior to subsoil and/or topsoil being replaced. On January 8, 1990, Peabody submitted to the Division a proposal to discontinue the ' manganese and salinity analyses on the spoil samples collected from the 300 foot grid in the Wolf Creek mining and reclamation area. The salinity analysis will continue to be completed on topsoil and spoil samples collected from postmine soil pits located near representative revegetation monitoring sites. Peabody's revision request is still pending ' with the Division. In summary, suitable levels of EC and Mn occurred in the upper four feet of spoil at every backhoe pit site. Suitable levels of pH and ABP were identified wherever a spoil topdressing or subsoil had been replaced or where sufficient spoil mixing occurred prior ' to final grading. Sites WC-126 through WC-129 had an unsuitable pH or ABP value. An additional one to three feet of suitable topdressing will be spread in the vicinity of ' these four sites to adequately bury the acid spoil . Severe compaction problems were identified at sample sites WC-104, WC-106, and WC-111 which were all located on a former ' maintained reclamation road. Peabody will scarify all maintained reclamation roads prior to subsoil and/or topsoil being replaced. The topdressing medium has suitable chemical and physical properties. All suitable spoil topdressing replacement areas for the 1989 field season are shown on Exhibit 1 . A request to revise the laboratory parameter list is still pending before the Division. Topsoil Replacement Depth ' Peabody is required by CMCRD to closely observe and routinely inspect topsoil replacement depths in the Wadge and Wolf Creek reclamation areas at Seneca II Mine. This monitoring 5 PEABODY COAL COMPANY Western Division