2008-05-01_REVISION - M1973007SG (5)

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RECLAMATION PLAN Topsoiling and Growth Media Native, salvaged soils will be prioritized for placement on slopes. Only when slope topsoiling is adequate will the native, salvaged soil be placed on the pit bottom. Because of the sandy nature of the subsoil, a thick layer of native soil is needed on the slopes to increase the probability of revegetation success. Furthermore,because the pit floor will be essentially level, the use of a thick layer of native soil is not needed there. ported, donate , or created soils (e.g. ij opt? wash fines from sediment basins)will only be placed on the pith. silty or clayey soils will not be placed on the slopes as that would almost guarantee slope failure, even if well vegetated. opsoiling on slopes will place a minimum of six inches of soil on sandy slopes that have a rough texture that has its grain primarily along the contour. Topsoil should not be placed on a c, smooth, sandy slope as it is unlikely to bind with the sand and will be prone to sliding when wet. Six inches is sufficient,but eight to twelve inches would be even better, especially on south and west facing slopes. More than twelve inches would probably not generate a noticeable increase in he quality of the growth and could result in the roots being mostly confined to the soil layer. Six o twelve inches will provide sufficient depth for good establishment but will also force roots eeper in the underlying sand to produce a better binding of the entire slope surface. Topsoiling of the pit bottom will place a minimum of four inches of soil. Prior to spreading the soil on the pit bottom harrowing the sand will aid in breaking up any surface compaction of the subsoil so roots can more easily penetrate the sand on the bottom of the pit. As with slopes, soil should not be placed on a hard or smooth sand surface as it will cause plant establishment to be weak. Eventually, on the pit bottom, such a condition would correct itself, but it could add a few years to the duration of the revegetation process. Deep harrowing,plowing or even ripping will ultimately produce a better growth more quickly. Spots on the pit floor that tend to be moist most of the time will receive only two to four inches of soil so as to take advantage of these higher moisture areas to create diversity in the vegetation composition and texture. Such moist spots may eventually develop into a kind of wetland vegetation. Whether these areas can develop into an actual wetland will depend on many factors that cannot be directly controlled, but it is possible small areas of wetland will form on the pit floor. It is more likely that the available groundwater will be a bit too deep to establish a true wetland,but, at the worst, these areas could easily develop patches of rich, lush growth that will increase species and habitat diversity as well as overall visual attractiveness and interest. Daniels Sand Pit Amendment (2008) Exhibit E Page 15 of 22