1988-04-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A (50)

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71 State Reg. Federal Reg. II. SALVAGEABLE TOPSOIL Topsoil (according to Soil Survey Manual definition number 4, pg. 185) will be segregated in accordance with Section 30 CFR Chapter VII, §816.22 (a) , (b) , (f) . A one lift topsoiling opera- tion will be utilized whereby "A", "B", and "C" soil horizons are mixed when salvaged. This method of topsoil removal is desirable at the Nucla Mine because the soils are shallow, soil profile development is minimal, and moderate surface erosion over 900 of the permit area has decreased the depth of the "A" soil horizon (this results in lighter soil colors and lower organic matter contents) . The salvaged topsoil will have suitable growth medium charac- teristics as determined by the soil survey and the laboratory analyses (see Tab 9) . The interpretations used to access soil material as sources of topsoil were based on the cumulative guidelines prepared by the Bureau of Land Management - 1977, Montana Department of State Lands - 1977, Soil Conservation Service - 1971, Wyaning Department of Environmental Quality - 1976, National Cooperative Soil Survey - 1978, and the Soil Conservation Service - 1978. The maximum stripping depth will constantly be evaluated on site by the stripping operator and reclamation foreman using field observation tests including soil color, rooting depth, and coarse fragment content. The topsoil removal area at any one time shall be minimized to prevent both wind and water erosion according to 30 CFR §816.22(f) . The following is an estimate by, soil map unit of the acreages and volumes of topsoil available for the permit area. The sug- gested stripping depths are identical to those recarmended by Fly and Associates (see Tab 9, Table 2 and the Stripping Isopach and Topsoil Stockpile P9ap, Exhibit 9-2) .