Laserfiche WebLink
now have a stronger influence of forage production than does soil depth. These <br />researchers concluded that "the long -term relationships established among plant <br />comminutes, total soil depth and soil characteristics on reclaimed lands were very <br />different from the relationships observed during initial vegetation establishment." <br />At the current New Horizon 2 Mine, based upon the current approval, WFC has to <br />remove soil horizons from all reclaimed areas, with the exception of the prime farmland <br />soil types, using a single lift removal and reapplication process, and given the relatively <br />high amount of Cheatgrass documented as being on this site in Section 2.04.10, WFC <br />feels justified in asking that this previous approval be applied to the proposed NHN Mine <br />area as well. <br />Topsoil Salvage Techniques <br />Before any area at the proposed NHN Mine site other than a topsoil stockpile, light use <br />access road, shallow drainage ditches, power line corridors and other small area <br />exemption areas are disturbed, the suitable topsoil material will be removed to the depth <br />specified on Map 2.04.9 -4, New Horizon North Mine, Topsoil Salvage Map. Suitable <br />topsoil will be salvaged from all significant disturbance areas including sediment ponds <br />(includes pond area, embankment, and spillway), mining activities, spoil stockpiles, haul <br />roads, access roads, mining area (includes box cut spoil and highwall reduction area) <br />shop area, and diversion ditches, which extend below the depth of salvageable topsoil. <br />Topsoil will be removed from all cut and fill slopes. No topsoil will be salvaged from the <br />light use roads utilized for environmental monitoring or power line corridors, except <br />where cut and fills are required. Prior to topsoil removal, vegetation which is too large <br />for incorporation into the topsoil will be scraped away and combined with the <br />overburden. The remaining vegetation will be incorporated into the topsoil to help <br />increase soil organic matter levels. To prevent unnecessary contamination, adequate <br />buffer of a few feet shall be salvaged from the edge of a road, embankment, ditch, cut <br />slope, and toe of fill between the edges of the disturbance. <br />Section 2.05.4(2)(d) <br />Page 17 <br />January 2012 <br />