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The predominant hill-slope soils have relatively thick, loamy textured mollic epipedons, well <br />suited for reclamation use. Salvageable thickness of these soils averages from 12 inches to 30 <br />inches. Subsoils in these units are somewhat marginal, due to heavier texture or excessive <br />cobbles. The Silas loam soil along the drainage valley bottoms is generally suitable for salvage <br />to depths of five feet or more. <br />B. Topsoil Salvage Operations <br />Information on topsoil salvage methods is found in Sections 2.04.9, 2.05.2 and 4.06 of Volume 1 <br />of the PAP original volumes. Additional information can be found in Exhibit 9 and Maps 5 and 6 <br />of the PAP original volumes. Information specifically pertinent to proposed South Taylor <br />expansion topsoil salvage operations is presented in Section 2.04.9 text and tables of Volume 12, <br />11 C'.. -?.- __ n Ar '1/C\ A rl nc A/rl\/J\ C[7-1-:__ 1n T__L 7/_]? n r?7-7____-- 11 , A,f---- <br />aS well as 3el ions G.UJ.JkJ) art L.VJ.`+kG)kU) of V UlUIf1C7 1G, 1?X111UIL 7 01 V UlUlI1C 1 J, ailu 1VIQEJJ <br />5A, 5B, and 5B of Volume 14. <br />In general, the topsoil handling plan calls for removal of all of the A and some or all of the B <br />horizon materials, depending on soil type. Average estimated soil salvage thicknesses for South <br />Taylor Pit map units (based on component series relative acreage), is presented in Tables 2.04.9- <br />6 and 6A of Volume 12. Projected salvage volume calculations for defined topsoil stripping <br />blocks within the South Taylor Pit area are presented in Table 2.04.9-7 of Volume 12. Specific <br />areas where topsoil will not be salvaged are described on page 4.06.1 of the PAP. <br />Topsoil will be removed during the late spring to fall, ahead of pit advance. Vegetation, with the <br />exception of large trees, will be removed and redistributed with the topsoil. Topsoil will be <br />removed to topsoil stockpiles or, where possible, applied directly to regraded spoil. Within the <br />South Taylor Pit area, most topsoil will be placed in stockpile, as the nature of the operation will <br />generally not allow for direct replacement. <br />Topsoil stockpiles near the pits, including one large topsoil stockpile near the shop/maintenance <br />area, are shown on Maps 22, 28, and 28A. Three stockpiles are located in the northern portion of <br />the permit area and are shown on Map 21. Two additional large topsoil stockpiles are proposed <br />in association with the South Taylor expansion area (Stockpiles 16D and 16J). These stockpiles <br />are located to the north of the South Taylor Pit area, and are depicted on Map 28B. The South <br />Taylor topsoil handling plan is also presented on Map 28B. All soils stockpiles will be protected <br />from erosion and will not be moved without Division approval. <br />Colowyo committed itself in 1981, in its original permii application, to include information in its <br />annual reclamation reports to verify that enough topsoil was being salvaged to replace a <br />sufficient amount of soil on regraded areas. This information was reported until 1986. The <br />Division in 1987 suspended this monitoring requirement, as the data indicated that sufficient <br />topsoil would be available to meet reclamation needs throughout the life of the mine. The <br />Annual Topsoil Balance inventory and reporting requirement was reinitiated in association with <br />TR-62, and reporting resumed with submittal of the 2005 Annual Reclamation Report. The <br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance 14 September 2009 <br />Permit Renewal 05 Page 47