2012-06-20_PERMIT FILE - C2010089 ‎(61)‎

• Permit No: C2010089
• IBM Index Class Name: PERMIT FILE
• Doc Date: 6/20/2012
• Doc Name: Energy MineTopsoil Segregation Study
• Section_Exhibit Name: Appendix 2.05.4‎(2)‎‎(d)‎-2
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

teas topsoil depth studies, data obtained from
studies monitored representative o
shorter f conditions which
m ch
might not be rep est this
may exist at a later date.
rtinent tosthe existing
segregate is particularly pertinent topsoil
regulatory requirements to 9 9
horizons and in establishing recommended topsoil
thicknesses. The available evidence indicates
the existing regulatory requirements to sapsoil
all available topsoil and
and subsoil horizons are based upon short term
studies of questionable applicability to the
bonded liability period. The removal and
segregation of all available topsoil has in
many instances resulted in a situation, as
suggested by Biondini and Redente (1986),
the ultimate goals of revegetation cannot be
achieved because the regulatory standards preclude
a possibility. The results of this study
of
and others indicate consi a rable
essari amounts spent
money have perhaps been
on topsoil handling.
Significant cost savings could be achieved
by implementation of these findings at this
and other similar sites. Bonding data from
this particular operation (Yampa Valley Coal
Cooperation, 1987) reveal topsoil handling as
to replace 37.8 cm of soil average $7,114/ha.
Using this operation as an exaple we,779uld
conservatively estimate a c ombining
could be saved for operations nd icorresponding
horizons during removal laydown, The total
amount could be saved during
approximate cost savings could be $3,557 per
hectare. These costs are based on increased
operating costs of approximately 25 percent
to remove and reapply segregated topsoil. it
topsoil has already been stockpiled:
doubtful if any cost savings could be realized
but for operations where
evttopsoil r e oval cost is
being conducted, we
savings could be achieved.
Implementation of the in w d result his gs from
study to this mine operation According to the
a significant cost savings. Coal Corporation
current bond, Yampa Valley
has a commitment to replace an average of 37.8
cm of topsoil on all reclaimed areas. The bonded
liability of this commitment amounts to
If this operation were able to
i ent the findings e of this study, Potential
mpl
cost savings of between $3,350 /ha to 55,232/ha,
totalling between $1,440,000 and $2,.250,0
could be realized. We strongly suspect other
oil
operations having similar soil and spold
properties and environmental factors,
achieve corresponding cost savings.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to express their sincere
thanks to the Energy Fuels Corporation, Colorado
Yampa Coal Company, Craig District o the ic era o f
Cr Bureau of Land tural
Cops Laboratory Agricultural Research Service
for their valuable assistance with materials
equipment and cooperation in the construction
collection and analysis of data from this study.
LITERATURE SITED
Allen, E.B. 1984. The Role of Mycorrhizae
Diversity. pp. 273-295.
I n Mined Land Fisher, Jr.
In: F.F. Munshower and S.E. Symposium
(Co- Chairman). Third Biennial
on Surface Coal Mine taR Reclamation
State on
Great Plains.
Reclamation Research Unit. 371 p.
Barth, R.C. 1984. Soil Depth Requirements
to Reestablish Perennial Grasses on Surface
Mined Areas in the Northern Great Plains.
Colorado School of Mines, Mineral and Energy
Resources Vol. 27(1):1-2
Berg, W.A. and E.M. Barran. 1973. Composition
and Production of Seedings on Strip Mine
Spoils in Northwestern Colorado. pp 215 -224.
In First Research and Applied Technolog
Symposium on Mined Land
Bituminous Coal Research, Inc. Monroeville
PA. 355 p.
K -•3 -l0
Biondini, M.E. and
Interactive Effect
on Plan Community
Lands. Reclamation
Vol. (4):211-222.
E.F. Redente. 1986.
of Stimulus and
Diversity in
and Revegetation Research
Biondini, M.E., C.D. Bonham and E.F. Redente
Patterns in
Succession
1985. Secondary
a Sagebrush (Artemisia tri ) CCommomm uny
iitt
as They Relate to Soil DisturbVegetation
Soil Biological Activity.
60:25 -36.
Biondini, M.E., C.D Bonham and E.F. Redente.
Between Inducted
1984. Relationships Bet Sail Biological
Successional Patterns and Reclamation
Activity of Reclaimed Areas. 323 -342.
and Revegetation Research Vol. (3
DePuiS,
E.J. 1984. Potential Topsoiling
trategies for Enhancement of Vegetation
ie 2 5 8_272 •
Diversity on Munshower and Scott E. Fisher,
In: F.F. F osium
Jr. (Co- Chairman) Third Biennial Symp
on Surface Coal Mine Reclamation on the
Great Plains. Billings MT. 371 p.