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X. Topsoil - Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(5) , 2.05.4(2) (d) and 4.06 <br /> Soils resource information in Volume 6, Section III-e and Volume 2, <br /> Appendix II-B-5, 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 with the appropriate regulations. <br /> Topsoil at the Coal Basin felines is limited. Only a thin veneer of <br /> topsoil exists on the steep side slopes of the canyons. What topsoil is <br /> available is generally found in the valley bottoms and areas with low to <br /> moderate slopes. Since the Coal Basin 'Aines 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 PROPOSED COAL PROCESSING 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 SUIL TYPE MUST BE SAMPLED AND <br /> ANALYIZEO. SAMPLES MUST BE TAKEN BY HURIZON 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 WITHIN 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 /> revegetation since the majority of the plant roots will be within the <br /> topsoil layer and the rock tunnel waste exhibits no properties which <br /> should limit plant growth. <br /> The analyses of roof rock in Table III-0-3 of Chapter III-D, Volume 4, <br /> indicates that some plant growth problems may exist with the coal <br /> refuse. The roof rock :naterial wnich commonly makes up a large portion <br /> of the coal refuse is generally hign in sulfur and iron, ano has a high <br />