2007-12-17_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981020

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disposal pile in 2007; a sufficient quantity of material has been retained for future reclamation of the coal waste site sediment pond. Although no topsoil was salvaged from the mine bench and road areas prior to initial disturbance, minor amounts of suitable soil material have sloughed off road cut slopes and accumulated in culvert inlet sumps during the life of the operation. This material was stored in two small stockpiles, one designated topsoil pile adjacent to the lower road, west of the coal waste disposal area, and a second dirt/topsoil stockpile located on the mine bench. The location of both stockpiles, as well as the location of the waste disposal site topsoil stockpile, is indicated on Figure 2.2-1. Soil from both of these sources was used for final surfacing of the regraded mine bench areas in 2007. The material from the mine bench and lower road stockpiles will be used as topdressing for final reclamation of the mine bench area. Sufficient soil material is available from these sources to replace a 6 inch topdressing on the reclaimed bench area (approximately 3 acres). There will be no topdressing applied to regraded segments of the upper access road. Sampling conducted by the operator has documented the suitability of near-surface materials in the area of the mine bench and upper access road for use as plant growth medium. Existing road fills and berms that will provide the material used in final reclamation of the road segment support a vigorous growth of the seeded stabilization grasses, as well as volunteer grasses and shrubs. The operator tested the soil surface in the various mine area permanent reclamation areas in 2007. Analyses indicated a phosphorus deficiency associated with soils used in final surfacing of the portal bench area. Phosphorus was to be incorporated into the soil prior to seeding of the permanent seedmix. The Munger Canyon site is located in an area which characteristically receives less than ten inches of rainfall annually, and a significant component of the precipitation is typically from short duration, high intensity rainfall events. In order to enhance the potential for soil moisture retention, provide suitable sites for seed germination and seedling establishment, and reduce erosion on steep sites during the early stages of reclamation, the operator has committed to and did prepare an extensively roughened seedbed by track hoe gouging in association with the 2007 reclamation project. The Division granted a variance from topsoil removal in accordance with Rule 4.06.2(2)(a). This variance applies to the mine bench area and access road that were constructed prior to August 3, 1977. No topsoil was salvaged or required to be salvaged at the time of the disturbance. The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. 30