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III. Topsoil <br />Soils resource information found in Volume 2, Tab 9, and the topsoil salvage and redistribution plan in <br />Volumes 3 and 5, Tabs 13 and 14, of the application have been reviewed for compliance by the Division. <br />Since mining at this operation began prior to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, no <br />topsoil was salvaged in construction of the mine benches. Topsoil from the loadout area was used to <br />build the loadout stacker pad, although a small amount was stockpiled. The majority of the topsoil <br />salvaged was removed from the location of the Cameo refuse piles. <br />Soils in the general area are commonly high in sodium and occasionally saline. This is reflected in the <br />sparse vegetation which is primarily composed of salt - tolerant species and species such as greasewood, <br />which are commonly found growing in sodic soils. The analyses of the stockpiled soil and the material <br />presently on the surface of the disturbed areas reflect the saline and sodic conditions of the surrounding <br />area. <br />Upon completion of backfilling and grading operations, topsoil will be redistributed to a minimum depth <br />of six inches, with the exception of specified areas where topsoil was not salvaged originally. These areas <br />will be covered with a suitable amount of plant growth material and amended as necessary. Prior to <br />redistribution of the topsoil, the graded surface will be ripped to relieve compaction and limit surface <br />slippage. <br />Based on the results of a study conducted on the Roadside Refuse Disposal Area over a period of 10 <br />years, and associated physical and chemical analysis which demonstrated that requirements of Rule 4.15 <br />can be met with less than four feet of cover material, the Division has approved a variance from the four <br />foot refuse cover depth requirement of Rule 4.10.4(5). Technical Revision 16, approved by the Division <br />in January, 1994, approved minimum cover replacement depths of 18" on the RSRDA, CRDA -1 and <br />CRDA -3, and a minimum of 24" on CRDA -2. Non -toxic cover borrow areas, and topsoil and subsoil <br />suitability levels and sampling plans were defined by TR -17, in April, 1994. Reclamation of refuse areas <br />will entail replacement of a minimum 6" topdressing layer with SAR of 12 or less and EC of 8 or less. <br />The lower 12" to 18" of cover, as applicable, will have maximum limits of 25 and 15, for SAR and EC, <br />respectively. <br />During adequacy review associated with RN -4 and TR -42, the Division requested that the operator <br />submit soils data, evaluation, and mapping, pertinent to pre - salvage and post- spread sampling <br />conducted in association with 2002 refuse area cover - soiling and top - soiling operations. The <br />requested soils data and mapping were presented in new Appendix 9 -7, with narrative evaluation on <br />amended pages 9 -4 through 9 -7, and amended pages 14 -6 through 14 -8, and 14 -11 of the <br />reclamation plan. <br />At CRDA -2, subsoil was obtained primarily from excavation within and adjacent to the Coal Creek <br />channel and from construction of the new upper diversion; topsoil was from long -term stockpiles. At <br />CRDA -1, the entire cover soil thickness (subsoil and topsoil) was obtained from the CBA -2 borrow <br />area. At the RSRDA, the entire cover soil thickness was obtained from the RSRDA soil borrow area. <br />Soil Stockpile No. 3 was the primary source of topsoil used in the North Portal Facilities Area <br />reclamation project. 2002/2003 sample results for areas reclaimed in 2002 are summarized below. <br />34 <br />