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. Baseline Technical <br />Report <br />ARCADIS <br />Report for Soils and <br />Biological Resources, <br />Cresson Mine Life Extension <br />Project Area <br />3.1.8 Adderton-Cryaquolls complex <br />These soils are hydric soils that occur in areas where the water table was observed at <br />or near the surface during the August 1999 field surveys. Vegetation on these soils is <br />characteristic of species that occur in wet or moist areas. <br />3.2 GROWTH MEDIUM RESOURCES <br />As part of the ongoing mining operations at the Cresson Mine, CC&V salvages soil that <br />is suitable for assisting with revegetation. Soils recovered for use during reclamation is <br />termed growth medium. The soils information presented in Table 2-2 is generally <br />representative of growth medium within the District. However, the depth figures for <br />these soil map units are not representative of the depths that can be salvaged. The <br />volume of growth medium that can be salvaged from areas proposed for disturbance is <br />based primarily on the depth of the upper soil horizons, but also is influenced by slope, <br />• surface rock, areal extent, and vegetative cover. Regardless of these factors, depths of <br />less than 6 inches are typically considered to be unsalvageable due to the large size of <br />the equipment used to recover soil for reclamation purposes. Growth medium depths <br />vary greatly depending on their position on the terrain, with the shallowest soil on the <br />upper slopes and deepest at the toe of the slope. The presence of rock outcrops in <br />some areas renders salvage operations unmanageable. By removing large roots and <br />stumps and pushing slash, unavoidable mixing of the soil horizons occurs. <br />Given the factors above and the data from field surveys, an average growth medium <br />salvage depth was determined for each mapped soil unit (Table 2-2). Suitability ratings <br />are based on soil interpretation records provided by the NRCS and the suitability <br />guidelines in Table 2-3. <br />Four suitability ratings (Good, Fair, Poor, and Unsuitable) were used to determine the <br />salvage depths of each mapping unit. Limiting factors were noted for each component <br />of a soil series or phase. Soils with more than 35 percent coarse fragments are rated <br />unsuitable for use as growth medium. Coarse fragment content is primarily responsible <br />for the suitability ratings in Table 2-2. <br />• <br />CCV Final Technical Report (3-28-08).doc 7