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only marginally different from the overburden, with its main distinction being slightly higher in <br />organic matter. Because of its thin and scarce occurrence, true topsoil stripping will likely <br />incorporate some of the underlying silty clay overburden material. Every effort will be made to <br />separate true topsoil stripping, but even with the incorporation of some overburden material, it is <br />not anticipated that large quantities of the topsoil /overburden growth medium will be available <br />for reclamation. <br />Because of its limited availability, the topsoil /overburden growth medium may not be placed <br />evenly over the entire site. The floor of the pit will likely need less growth medium because <br />moisture accumulation there will help vegetation growth and new soil development. Therefore, <br />only about six inches of the topsoil /overburden growth medium will be placed on the pit floor. <br />The same dressing will be used for areas where stockpiles, access roads, or mining structures <br />have been removed and the underlying material has been scarified in preparation for reclamation. <br />A minimum of one foot of growth medium will be placed on backfilled or otherwise created pit <br />slopes. The extra thickness of growth medium will help to retain moisture on the slopes and <br />provide a deeper rooting zone to help protect against erosion. For slopes created by backfilling, <br />growth medium will go on top of a considerable depth of overburden, but for slopes created from <br />a "cut and fill" approach, the thickness of growth media will be an important top- dressing. <br />When spreading growth medium on slopes, the same requirements for general grading will be <br />followed. Final grading prior to seeding will only follow the contours of the slope, creating <br />ridging patterns that follow the contour, and will never produce tracks up and down the slope. <br />Planting of the site will be done as areas are finished with preparation after grading and <br />spreading topsoil /overburden growth medium. Planting will occur seasonally to allow for timely <br />germination with available moisture and to provide the highest possibility for growth success. If <br />possible, planting will be performed between November and the end of April. <br />Drill seeding is the preferred method for revegetation. Grass seed should be planted with a drill <br />equipped with depth bands and press wheels. On this site, broadcast seeding is not advisable as <br />seed burial would be limited. If broadcast seeding is necessary on moist soils, steep slopes, or in <br />excessively rocky areas, success can be encouraged by broadcasting onto growth medium that is <br />very loose, such as occurs immediately after spreading the plant growth medium. If the seed is <br />broadcast in those circumstances, then the seeded area will be dragged to help bury the seed. <br />At this time, no mulch or fertilizer is being proposed. On west and south facing slopes, mulch <br />may be applied if desired, but only if the mulch is very strongly crimped into the soil. On this <br />site, straw mulch, unless well anchored would most likely just blow away, providing little <br />benefit. If mulch is used, certified weed -less straw mulch at a rate of 2,000 pounds per acre <br />should be applied. No fertilizer is recommended for revegetation of the Connell Carr Pit site. <br />Connell Carr Pit <br />DR_11fS 112 Permit Application Adequacy Review Response <br />