Any additional quick tips on getting the Seal out and off. Also is it necessary to remove it. If I hadn't read about it, I would just continue with removing the timing cover. It appears to be part of the cover, why do I have to remove the seal?

Sorry, quick edit here - just read the document again. Looks like no need to remove that seal to get the Timing Cover off. That is just a separate process if you need to replace the seal. Should I replace that seal after I get this off?