2016-11-04_PERMIT FILE - M2016009 (7)

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RECLAMATION PLAN: Pritekel Brothers Gravel Pit PAGE 2 The Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends the following steps to revegetate the site: ! 1.) Topsoil should be removed and stockpiled. When mining is completed, the topsoil should be placed so that at least six inches of topsoil ` material is covering the subsoil material. Topsoil amounts exceeding six inches in depth will result in increased seeding success. If the topsoil will not be used within one year, then it should be seeded with the seed mixture listed in step #5 to protect it from erosion and keep it biologically active. 2.) Prior to revegetation, the area should be banksloped so that no slope exceeds a 3:1 slope. Slopes greater than 3:1 will need to have a rolled erosion control product (RECP) applied after seeding to reduce erosion and increase seeding success. Roads and other similarly disturbed areas should be graded or reworked so as to blend into or approximate the surrounding landscape as closely as possible. Rough areas should be smoothed to permit easier seeding and mulching. At least eighteen inches of subsoil material should remain on-site prior to spreading the topsoil. The subsoil material should not be over- compacted. Plant roots will not be able to grow in heavily compacted subsoils. Also, compaction reduces the amount of water available to the plant. Additional soil material, topsoil or subsoil, will increase the success of the seeding. When banksloping and shaping of the subsoil is complete, scarify the area to a depth of six inches to permit better bonding between the subsoil and the topsoil. After scarification, the topsoil should be uniformly spread over the area. 3.) The seedbed should be well settled and firm, but friable enough so that seed can be placed at the recommended seeding depth. The ideal firmness is when a one-half inch boot print remains after walking across the soil surface. If the topsoil is over-compacted by traffic or equipment, three steps are required to prepare the seedbed. First, the soil should be tilled to break up root restricting layers. Second, it should be harrowed. Third, the soil should be rolled or packed. These steps establish the necessary firm seedbed.