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The 1998 Study area soil inventory is given in Table 2.04.9 -4 in Section 2.04.9 Soils Resource <br />Information. <br />Whenever practical, the salvaged topsoil will be immediately transported to leveled backfill <br />areas and placed on the regraded surface. The direct haul method is economically desirable <br />and also maintains a high topsoil quality by a direct transfer of viable seed, microbes, and roots; <br />reduced compaction, better preserved structure, increased aeration, and stable nutrient status. <br />Although saturated topsoil is rare for the life of the mine, if any is encountered, handling of this <br />material will be minimized. WFC will attempt to dewater the material to the extent practicable <br />prior to any handling. Handling sticky or plastic soils in a saturated state would reduce the <br />quality of the topsoil by degrading the physical characteristics and tilth of the soil A hard, <br />compact surface layer would result, which would reduce or inhibit seed germination, seedling <br />root establishment, and air and water penetration. However, the sticky or plastic soils can be <br />left to dry, then tilled and disked by reclamation farm equipment to break the chunks back to dirt <br />size particles. After the first irrigation or precipitation event, the now dry, disked and former <br />sticky topsoil would melt to a smaller size. Most of the topsoil material recommended for <br />salvage has a sandy loam to sandy clay loam soil texture which have low to moderate <br />consistency limitations (Section 2.04.9, Soils Resource Information). Specific protective <br />measures will be utilized to minimize wind and water erosion. Such measures will include <br />contour ripping or chisel plowing of regraded spoil and replaced topsoil and rapid establishment <br />of vegetation. Long unbroken slopes will be avoided to minimize sediment runoff and gullying. <br />Seeding the topsoil stockpiles with dryland grasses will be done to prevent erosion and also <br />improve the fertility and physical tilth of the soil. The topsoil removal area at any one time shall <br />be minimized to the extent practicable to prevent both wind and water erosion. <br />10.1 Topsoil Replacement -1988 and 1995 Study Areas <br />As of February, 2008, this area has been stripped, replaced and reclaimed. The various tracts <br />had different topsoil placement thicknesses depending upon landowner and land use. The <br />material replaced, as reported in the Annual Reports, is shown on Map 2.05.4 -4. As is seen <br />from the Map, most of the area was stripped and replaced in 2 lifts. <br />(Revised October 2009) 2.05.4(2)(d) -43 <br />