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Topsoil and Reve etg ation <br /> The growth medium for revegetation will be a combination of overburden and topsoils. <br /> Unfortunately, there is not a large quantity of quality topsoil available at the site. The topsoil is <br /> 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 mid-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. <br /> Fertilizer may be applied to re-soiled areas in a manner that will encourage emergence and <br /> survival of the grasses without encouraging competition from weeds. Starter fertilizer could be <br /> Carr Pit East <br /> DBMS 112 Permit Application Page 13 <br />