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• 4.9.4 Topsoil Balance and Monitoring <br />An adequate amount of stockpiled topsoil to reclaim disturbed acreage is assured by using a topsoil <br />balance approach and by closely monitoring available topsoil versus needed topsoil. The program is <br />designed to promote use of the best topsoil resources and to assure there is adequate topsoil on hand for <br />all disturbed lands within the permit boundary. Trapper's topsoil balance has been estimated based on <br />existing stockpiles, estimated soil quantities from the Order 1 Soil Survey, and through actual depth <br />estimates in pre-strip areas. Since the latter two are approximations, substantial variations can result <br />from the predicted expectations. For this reason, the numbers presented in Tables 4.9-3 and 4.9-4 must <br />be considered estimates only. <br />It should be noted that the Trapper Mine was developed under a life of mine plan approved in 1976 by <br />both the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board and the U.S. Geological Survey. Under the terms of <br />that plan, the mine was expected to salvage and replace six inches of topsoil. Only soils rated 1 or 2 for <br />Trapper Mine by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (Table 4.9-2) were intended to be used, i.e. in many <br />areas, topsoil salvage was not anticipated. The area disturbed under these criteria coincides with the <br />total disturbance as of May 3, 1978, as is depicted on Map MSA. <br />Trapper has assumed responsibility for reclaiming an open pit left by Empire Energy Corporation prior to <br />the opening of the Trapper Mine. This disturbance amounted to about 53 acres and is shown on Map <br />• MSA. No topsoil was salvaged from this area prior to its disturbance. During the 1988-1992 permit term, <br />the open pit left by Empire was backfilled with appropriate spoil material. During the 1993-1997 permit <br />tern, reclamation of the entire extent of this open pit was accomplished. <br />In 1978, Utah International, Inc. reevaluated topsoil needs and availability for Trapper Mine and <br />concluded that more than six inches of topsoil could be salvaged and used for reclaiming disturbed lands. <br />To allow for occasional deep tillage, Utah elected to replace approximately 20 inches of topsoil on lands <br />being reclaimed to cropland. Based on available topsoil, it was decided to replace <br />• <br />4-258 <br />Pe-4 <br />MAY 13 1998