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-44- <br /> X. Topsoil - Rules 2.U4. 9, 2.05.3(5) , 2.05.4(2) (d) and 4.U6 <br /> Soils resource information in Volume 6, Section III-6 and Volume 2, <br /> Appendix II-B-S, and topsoil stripping and redistribution information in <br /> Volume 1 , Section II-B and Volume 7, Chapter V of the application were <br /> reviewed for compliance 4ith the appropriate regulations. <br /> Topsoil at the Coal Basin (lines is limited. Only a thin veneer of <br /> topsoil exists on the steep side slopes of the canyons. Alhat topsoil is <br /> available is generally found in the valley bottoms and areas with low to <br /> moderate slopes. Since the Coal Basin Mines were opened prior to the <br /> Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, no topsoil was <br /> salvaged on most. of the disturbed area. The areas where topsoil has been <br /> and is currently being salvaged are the sediment control ponds, the rock <br /> tunnel dump, the existing refuse pile extension area, and the new coal <br /> refuse disposal area. <br /> The applicant has projected that 12 to 18 inches of topsoil is available <br /> at the new coal refuse disposal area. The applicant' s soil survey was <br /> not extensive enough for the Division to determine if proposed salvage <br /> depths are optimal . However, enough data is available to make a finding <br /> that reclamation is feasible. Therefore, the additional sampling <br /> required is amenable to stipulation. <br /> Stipulation No. 6 <br /> PRIOR TO ANY DISTURBANCE AT THE PROPUSED COAL PROCESSIidG 'WASTE <br /> DISPOSAL AREA, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SITE ACCESS ROAD, THE <br /> PERMITTEE MUST SUBMIT AND RECEIVE THE DIVISION' S APPROVAL OF A <br /> COMPREHENSIVE TOPSOIL SALVAGE AND REDISTRIBUTION PLAN. THIS PLAN <br /> MUST BE BASED ON SITE-SPECIFIC SOIL DEPTH INFORMATION AND SOIL <br /> ANALYSES. AT A MINIMUM, ONE SITE PER SOIL TYPE MUST BE SAMPLED AND <br /> ANALYIZED. SAMPLES MUST BE TAKEN BY HORIZON OR TWELVE-INCH <br /> INCREMENTS, WHICHEVER IS SMALLER, TO A MINIMUM DEPTH OF FOUR FEET. <br /> IN ADDITION, AT LEAST THREE SOIL DEPTH VERIFICATION SITES MUST BE <br /> SAMPLED WIT,NIN EACH SOIL TYPE TO A MINIMUM DEPTH OF FOUR FEET. <br /> The applicant projects that 6 to 14 inches of topsoil is available at the <br /> coal refuse pile site and 2 to 24 inches of topsoil is available at the <br /> rock tunnel disposal area. Topsoil is proposed to be replaced to a depth <br /> of 6 to 10 inches on the coal refuse pile and at a depth of 12 to 16 <br /> inches on the rock tunnel disposal pile. A depth of 12 to 16 inches <br /> replaced on the rock tunnel pile should be adequate to obtain successful <br /> reveaetation since the majority of the plant roots will be 'within the <br /> topsoil layer and the rock tunnel -.vaste exhibits no properties .vnich <br /> should limit plant growth. <br /> The analyses of roof rock in Table III-0-3 ,o Chapter III-D, ','olume =, <br /> indicates that somle plant growth problems may exist with the coal <br /> refuse. The roof rocK iaterial which ccmmoniy makes up a large porticn <br /> of the coal refuse is generally hian in sulfur and iron, and has a high <br />