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16. Topsoil Stripping Procedures <br />Prior to February 2008, the 1998/1999 expansion area was stripped in one mixed lift which was the <br />A and B lifts combined. For the Benson West and Lloyd properties, the average Mixed Lift stripping <br />thickness was 18 inches.. In addition, the Bench 1 spoil material was stripped and placed as <br />subsoil to a thickness of approximately 30 inches. <br />For the eastern portion of the Morgan property, the average mixed lift stripping thickness was 22 <br />inches. The mixed lift is confirmed by the data in the 1998/1999 study, which shows that Lift A on <br />the east portion of the Morgan property is only 17 inches thick. In addition, the Bench 1 material <br />was stripped and placed as suitable subsoil to a depth of approximately 34 inches. <br />The areas backfilled as of February 2008 are shown on Map 2.05.4 -4. All topsoil replacement <br />thickness are shown on the Map for the entire permit area. <br />Topsoil was salvaged from all significant disturbance areas including sediment ponds (includes <br />pond area, embankment, and spillway), mining activities, spoil stockpiles, haul roads, access <br />roads, mining area (includes box cut spoil and highwall reduction area) shop area, and diversion <br />ditches. Topsoil was removed from all cut and fill slopes. No topsoil was salvaged from the light <br />use roads utilized for environmental monitoring or power line corridors, except where cut and fills <br />are required. Prior to topsoil removal, vegetation which is too large for incorporation into the topsoil <br />was scraped away and combined with the overburden. The remaining vegetation was incorporated <br />into the topsoil to help increase soil organic matter levels. To prevent unnecessary contamination, <br />adequate extent of topsoil was salvaged from the edge of a road, embankment, ditch, cut slope, <br />and toe of fill. <br />For the original permit area, a two -lift topsoil operation was utilized for the two primary pre -mine <br />irrigated pastureland soil types (30C and D70B), whereby the "A" and upper "B" horizons (Lift A) <br />are salvaged separately from the lower "B" and "C" soil horizons (Lift B) (1988 - 1996 disturbance <br />area). <br />(Revised July 2010) 2.04.9 -27 <br />