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4 ~ 49 <br />• 4.4.5 SOIL RECONSTRUCTION MATERIAL FOR DISTURBED LAND <br />4.4.5.1 METHOD OF EVALUATION <br />The criteria for evaluating soil as a plant growth media are given in Table 4.4.1. The criteria <br />include sodium adsorption ration (SAR), electrical conductivity or salinity (EC), toxic materials, <br />soil reaction (pH), available water holding capacity (AWHC), erosion factor (k), wind erosion <br />group, texture, and percent coarse fragments. <br />Criteria are given for good, fair or poor sources of reconstruction material (fable 4.4-1). A <br />good rating means vegetation is relatively easy to establish and maintain, the surface is stable <br />and resists erosion, and the reconstructed sail has good potential productivity. Material rated <br />fair can be vegetated and stabilized by modifying one or more properties. Top dressing with <br />better material or application of soil amendments may be necessary for satisfactory <br />performance. Material rated poor has such severe problems that revegetation and stabilization <br />is very difficult and costly. Top dressing with better material may be necessary to establish and <br />maintain vegetation (USDA, 1978). <br />• 4.4.5.2 SOIL CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES <br />Chemical and physical data for permit area soils were collected to evaluate the soils as <br />reconstruction material for disturbed lands. Soil chemical and physical data from analysis by F & <br />L Labs are reported in the Appendix. SCS Soil Survey Interpretation Records were also used in <br />making the evaluations. <br />Soils were sampled by horizon and analyzed using standard agricultural techniques. The <br />parameters tested were paste pH, electrical conductivity, moisture saturation percentage, <br />soluble sodium, magnesium and calcium, SAR, organic matter, particle size distribution, textural <br />class, and boron. The techniques used (Appendix) are those of USDA Handbook 60 (1954) and <br />American Society of Agronomy Monograph #9 (black, 1965). <br />4.4.5.3 SUITABILITY AS A SOURCE MATERIAL FOR RECLAMATION OF DISTURBED LANDS <br />Table 4.4-2 is an evaluation of soil reconstruction material for each horizon of each soil type <br />in the permit area. The evaluation is based on field descriptions, solid chemical and physical <br />data (Appendix) and the criteria of table 4.4.1. The soils are rated good, good • fair, fair, fair - <br />• poor, or poor sources of reconstruction material. The overall rating given for each horizon is <br />based on the most limiting factors and the number of restrictive factors. <br />M~ Volume 1 4.29.96 <br />