2009-06-18_PERMIT FILE - C1981018A (6)

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• DMG was requested to lower the success standard for woody stem density as the reference area contained over 3,500 stems per acre. It seemed unlikely that this standard could be achieved within the ten year bond release period without replanting the seedlings. Through TR45, DMG reduced this density to 500 stems per acre. • As per Greystone Consultants, a variance application requesting 24 inches of soil cover would be appropriate given the vegetative and soils data collected to date and with data collected at other mines in the state which indicate that revegetation success can be achieved with a 24 inch soil cover. A copy of Greystone's report is included at the end of this section as Appendix "A". In response to TR45 application, DMG lowered the cover requirement to 30 inches with a minimum of 12 inches of topsoil. V.H Removal, Storage and Redistribution of Topsoil and Subsoil All areas to be disturbed at any time during the construction, operation, or reclamation of the mine and its surface facilities will have available topsoil or other suitable growth media separately removed and segregated from other fill material. Available topsoil was determined from the soil assessment contained in Section II.I. Topsoil or other suitable growth media are stockpiled in • various locations to be used during final reclamation. Disturbed areas to be covered with topsoil are indicated on Maps 43, 44, 45 and 46 ("D" Portal), Map 55 (Water Tank Area), Map 92 (Alluvial Wells), Map 89 (Ventilation Entry), Map 77 (Refuse Area 1), Map 77A (Refuse Area 5a), Map 150 (Refuse Area 2/3/4), Map 151 (B Seam ventilation shaft and access) and Map 104 (railroad loadout area). Roads which are to be reclaimed will be covered with topsoil as shown on Map 69 (Haul Road) and Map 55 (Water Tank Road). In addition, all areas disturbed during the removal of roads, conveyors, or utilities will be covered with topsoil. A summary of the disturbed areas is shown in Table V-3. Before the removal of the topsoil, all trees and large brush are cleared and placed in windrows. Grass, weeds and small brush are not separated from the topsoil. Grass, weeds and small brush intermixed with the topsoil aid in preventing over compaction and adds organic material to the stockpiled topsoil. Topsoil is stripped and transported to the stockpiles by scrapers or front~nd loaders and trucks. In some cases where large amounts of rock fragments are intermixed with the topsoil, it might be necessary to strip the topsoil with dozers and then transport it to the stockpiles via front-end loaders and trucks. In order to prevent over compaction during stockpiling, compaction water is not used and driving over the deposited soil is limited to only that which is necessary to stockpile the material. During construction, topsoil was stripped to various depths depending on soil type and site specifc . conditions, as indicated on Map 28 ("D" Portal Area), Map 52 (Water Storage Area and Access Mid-Term Review 2002 (8/2002) V-23