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• Topsoil Salvage and Replacement Techniques. Peabody Coal Company will maintain and <br /> periodically review the existing quality control program used to evaluate topsoiling <br /> activities at Nucla Mine. The following techniques will be utilized over the permit term. <br /> 1. Prior to topsoil replacement, the regraded spoil will be inspected and sampled as <br /> specified earlier in this tab (regraded Spoil Monitoring Plan section). <br /> 2. The maximum soil salvage depth will continue to be evaluated on site by qualified <br /> specialists using field observation tests which primarily include clay content, rock <br /> fragment content, calcium carbonate (caliche) content, and depth to bedrock. _. <br /> Periodic field inspections will be made by Peabody Coal Company's soil scientist. <br /> Soil samples will be collected as necessary to correlate field procedures with <br /> laboratory data. <br /> 3. Replaced topsoil, subsoil, and/or topsoil substitutes (i.e. suitable surface spoil) <br /> will be sampled, tested, and evaluated for fertility to ensure optimum germination, <br /> seedling emergence, and root growth conditions. A 300-foot sampling grid will be <br /> utilized whereby every four or five samples per reclamation block are composited. At <br /> a minimum, the samples will be analyzed for pH, salinity, particle size, organic <br /> matter, nitrate and ammonium nitrogen, and phosphorous. <br /> •- 4. The topsoil, subsoil, and/or topsoil substitute replacement depth will be closely <br /> observed and routinely inspected. Topsoil depth measurements will be recorded on a <br /> 300-foot sample grid. <br /> 5. An annual Topsoil Balance/Spoil Quality Report will be completed and submitted to <br /> CMLRD by April 15 of each year for the life-of-mine operation. Topsoil replacement <br /> areas are defined on Exhibit 21-2, Postmine Soil Replacement Depths. <br /> Conclusions. Topsoil balance figures for the life-of-mine operation at Nucla Mine show <br /> that 6, 10, and 15 inches of topsoil, subsoil, or topsoil substitute materials will be <br /> available for replacement. Topsoil replacement depths will be 6 inches for rangeland <br /> reclamation areas previously disturbed under Permit 75-36 (Mine Areas 2 and 3), 10 inches <br /> for rangeland reclamation areas associated with Permit C-81-008, and 15 inches for dryland <br /> pasture reclamation areas. Topsoil (excess) or suitable topsoil substitute replacement <br /> depths will be 10 inches for rangeland reclamation areas (spoil piles, old shop area, <br /> pits, and facilities) previously disturbed during the pre-law (July 1, 1969-July 1, 1976) <br /> period. The current excess topsoil volume based upon this 1988 topsoil balance is 15.5 <br /> acre feet. The various categories of soil replacement are shown on Exhibit 21-2, Postmine <br /> . Soil Replacement Depths. <br /> 21-17 Revised 08/19/88 <br />