2020-01-21_PERMIT FILE - M2019046

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EC-2 Temporary and Permanent Seeding (TS/PS) soil amendments and rototill them into the soil to a depth of 6 inches or more. Topsoil should be salvaged during grading operations for use and spread on areas to be revegetated later. Topsoil should be viewed as an important resource to be utilized for vegetation establishment, due to its water-holding capacity, structure,texture,organic matter content, biological activity,and nutrient content. The rooting depth of most native grasses in the semi-arid Denver metropolitan area is 6 to 18 inches. At a minimum,the upper 6 inches of topsoil should be stripped, stockpiled, and ultimately respread across areas that will be revegetated. Where topsoil is not available, subsoils should be amended to provide an appropriate plant-growth medium. Organic matter, such as well digested compost, can be added to improve soil characteristics conducive to plant growth. Other treatments can be used to adjust soil pH conditions when needed. Soil testing, which is typically inexpensive, should be completed to determine and optimize the types and amounts of amendments that are required. If the disturbed ground surface is compacted,rip or rototill the surface prior to placing topsoil. If adding compost to the existing soil surface, rototilling is necessary. Surface roughening will assist in placement of a stable topsoil layer on steeper slopes,and allow infiltration and root penetration to greater depth. Prior to seeding,the soil surface should be rough and the seedbed should be firm,but neither too loose nor compacted. The upper layer of soil should be in a condition suitable for seeding at the proper depth and conducive to plant growth. Seed-to-soil contact is the key to good germination. Seed Mix for Temporary Vegetation To provide temporary vegetative cover on disturbed areas which will not be paved, built upon, or fully landscaped or worked for an extended period(typically 30 days or more),plant an annual grass appropriate for the time of planting and mulch the planted areas. Annual grasses suitable for the Denver metropolitan area are listed in Table TS/PS-I. These are to be considered only as general recommendations when specific design guidance for a particular site is not available. Local governments typically specify seed mixes appropriate for their jurisdiction. Seed Mix for Permanent Revegetation To provide vegetative cover on disturbed areas that have reached final grade,a perennial grass mix should be established. Permanent seeding should be performed promptly(typically within 14 days)after reaching final grade. Each site will have different characteristics and a landscape professional or the local jurisdiction should be contacted to determine the most suitable seed mix for a specific site. In lieu of a specific recommendation,one of the perennial grass mixes appropriate for site conditions and growth season listed in Table TS/PS-2 can be used. The pure live seed(PLS)rates of application recommended in these tables are considered to be absolute minimum rates for seed applied using proper drill-seeding equipment. If desired for wildlife habitat or landscape diversity, shrubs such as rubber rabbitbrush(Chrysothamnus nauseosus), fourwing saltbush(Atriplex canescens) and skunkbrush sumac(Rhos trilobata)could be added to the upland seedmixes at 0.25,0.5 and 1 pound PLS/acre,respectively. In riparian zones, planting root stock of such species as American plum (Prunus americans),woods rose(Rosa woodsii), plains cottonwood(Populus sargentii), and willow(Populus spp.)may be considered. On non-topsoiled upland sites, a legume such as Ladak alfalfa at 1 pound PLS/acre can be included as a source of nitrogen for perennial grasses. TS/PS-2 Urban Drainage and Flood Control District June 2012 Urban Storm Drainage Criteria Manual Volume 3