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Creek and possibly Taylor Creek." These statements are consistent with Division findings. <br />Therefore the Division concludes that the Colowyo Mine has the potential to negatively impact <br />alluvial groundwater and groundwater points of compliance are under review. <br />IV. Topsoil - Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(s), 2.05.4(2)(d) and 4.06 <br />The Permit has been found to be in compliance with Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(s), 2.05.4(2)(d) and <br />4.06 with regard to the protection of topsoil resources. The Division has approved alternative <br />procedures for topsoil protection following removal based on a demonstration that such <br />alternative procedures will provide more protection for the topsoil [Rule 4.06.1(2)]. <br />A. The Soil Resource <br />A summary of the soil resource is found in the Summary section of this document, Description <br />of the Environment. Detailed information is presented in Section 2.04.9 and Exhibit 9 of the <br />original permit volumes for the original permit area, while detailed soil description information <br />for the South Taylor and Lower Wilson expansion areas is contained in Section 2.04.9 of <br />Volume 12 and Exhibit 9 of Volume 13. Order III (generalized) soil mapping for the permit <br />area is presented in map 5A of Volume 14; more detailed Order II soil mapping for the South <br />Taylor and Lower Wilson areas is presented on Maps 5B and 5C, respectively. Baseline <br />information presented in the application for the South Taylor expansion area is drawn largely <br />from a 1984 report titled "Soil Inventory-Danforth Hills Project, Rio Blanco and Moffat <br />Counties", prepared for Consolidation Coal Company by certified professional soil scientist <br />James P. Walsh. The Walsh report is included as Exhibit 9, Item 7, of Volume 13. <br />The three major soil types at the Colowyo East Pit and West Pit areas are the Work Loam, the <br />Burnette Loam and the Campspass Fine Sandy Loam. The Work and Burnette units are generally <br />deep, loamy textured soils with moderate permeability and high available water capacity. The <br />physical and chemical properties of these two soils are well suited for reclamation use. The <br />Campspass soil, however, is characterized by a shallow sandy loam A horizon less than six <br />inches in depth. The B horizon is a heavy clay loam with hard columnar structure which <br />Colowyo does not propose to salvage due to the sticky, plastic properties which make it less <br />desirable for reclamation. If spread directly on regraded spoils, the clayey soil could hamper <br />vegetation establishment due to the slow permeability and resultant droughtiness. In addition, <br />surface runoff from such soils would be rapid and erosion hazard would be high from both wind <br />and water. <br />The most prevalent soils in the South Taylor area include Burnette, Work, Lamphier, Rhone, and <br />Northwater Loams. These 'are borolls, which developed from residuum or colluvium on gently <br />sloping to rolling ridgetops, moderately steep sideslopes, and in gently sloping, concave narrow <br />stream valleys. Shallow, rocky soils of the order entisol occur to a limited extent within the area <br />to be disturbed on steep, south-facing slopes. The very thick Silas loam soil developed from <br />alluvium within narrow bands along the larger ephemeral drainages. <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance 14 September 2009 <br />Permit Renewal 05 Page 46