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13.0 Topsoil Preparation Procedures Prior to Seeding <br />This discussion has been divided into each of the three main post -mine land uses. <br />13.1 Irrigated Cropland (Prime farmland) Topsoil Preparation Procedures <br />Topsoil replacement operations may be carried out during most of the year, the exception being <br />those periods when wet conditions would preclude handling of the topsoil materials. <br />1- Ripping - Prior to replacement of topsoil, the graded spoil (Bench 1 material) will be ripped to <br />reduce compaction. This will be done to a depth of 2 feet. This will be done by dozer with <br />rippers or other similar equipment. Where the Bench 1 material is used as suitable subsoil, on <br />the east side of the Morgan property, ripping will occur to a depth of 4 feet and cross ripping will <br />be employed. The 4 feet of ripping with cross ripping will also be used in any area of irrigated <br />Cropland where heavy traffic has also occurred. Cross ripping will also take place on Bench 1 <br />spoil that is beneath the footprint of topsoil, subsoil, or spoil stockpiles. Large boulders will be <br />graded off the freshly ripped Bench 1 area or flattened so as not to poke up through a portion of <br />the Lift B Topsoil or Bench 1 Substitute Subsoil. Upon placement of the Lift B subsoil, this <br />material will also be ripped after placement to a depth of 24 -30 inches, depending on the depth <br />of the soil placement. <br />2 - Land leveling - WFC uses a blade of 10' to 14' width pulled behind a farm tractor to level the <br />topsoil surface and allow a smoother surface for seeding. <br />3 -Rock picking - WFC will use a mechanical device that is pulled behind a tractor that rakes up <br />large rocks over approximately 2.5 inches in diameter. Rocks up to approximately 24" diameter <br />can be picked up by the device although there should be no rocks of this size in the topsoil. The <br />rocks are removed from the field. Sandstone lenses that are identified in any topsoil or subsoil <br />will be buried in lower bench 1 overburden replacement, well below any rooting depth in the <br />reclamation area. <br />4 - Fertility testing - This test is conducted within 3 months of topsoil placement. Three soil <br />samples will be obtained from the top 2 feet of soil in the field to be tested. The field is defined <br />Revised PR 06 June 10 2.05.4(2)(d) -40 <br />