2013-04-05_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981019

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horizon materials, depending on soil type. Average estimated soil salvage thicknesses for South Taylor Pit map units (based on component series relative acreage) is presented in Tables 2.04.9 -6 and 6A of Volume 12. Projected salvage volume calculations for defined topsoil stripping blocks within the South Taylor Pit area are presented in Table 2.04.9 -7 of Volume 12. Specific areas where topsoil will not be salvaged are described in Section 4.06 of the PAP. Topsoil is removed during the late spring to fall, ahead of pit advance. Vegetation, with the exception of large trees, will be removed and redistributed with the topsoil. Topsoil will be removed to topsoil stockpiles or, where possible, applied directly to regraded spoil. Within the South Taylor Pit area, most topsoil will be placed in stockpiles, as the nature of the operation will generally not allow for direct replacement. Topsoil stockpiles near the pits, including one large topsoil stockpile near the shop /maintenance area, are shown on Maps 22, 28, and 28A. Three stockpiles are located in the northern portion of the permit area and are shown on Map 21. Two additional large topsoil stockpiles are proposed in association with the South Taylor expansion area (Stockpiles 16D and 16J). These stockpiles are located to the north of the South Taylor Pit area, and are depicted on Map 28B. The South Taylor topsoil handling plan is also presented on Map 28B. This map was updated with MR -114 to reflect additional topsoil stockpiles in the South Taylor Pit area. All soils stockpiles will be protected from erosion and will not be moved without Division approval. Colowyo committed itself in 1981, in its original permit application, to include information in its annual reclamation reports to verify that enough topsoil was being salvaged to replace a sufficient amount of soil on regraded areas. This information was reported until 1986. The Division suspended this monitoring requirement in 1987, as the data indicated that sufficient topsoil would be available to meet reclamation needs throughout the life of the mine. The Annual Topsoil Balance inventory and reporting requirement was reinitiated in association with TR -62, and reporting resumed with submittal of the 2005 Annual Reclamation Report. The resumption of the annual reporting requirement was largely due to the fact that Colowyo became aware, based on soil balance assessment in 2005, that there was insufficient topsoil in stockpile to meet the 18 -inch average replacement thickness requirement for disturbed areas that had not yet been topsoiled. An overall life -of -mine topsoil balance for the original permit area and the South Taylor Pit area can be found in the 2012 Annual Reclamation Report. C. Topsoil Redistribution Topsoil redistribution for the original permit area (as well as general procedures applicable to the South Taylor Pit) is described on pages 2.05 -41, 2.05 -42, and 4.06 -3 through 4.06 -4 of the original PAP. Topsoil redistribution for the South Taylor Pit area is more specifically addressed in Sections 2.05.3(5), 2.05.4(2)(d), and 4.06 of Volume 12. Regraded spoils will be scarified, where necessary, before replacement of topsoil by truck and loaders and dozers. Where Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance January 2012 Permit Renewal 06 Page 141