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z <br />• stratified sands and silts over sand, gravel, and cobble. Permeability <br />is moderate to rapid and may present a serious problem from coal <br />tailing leachates entering the water table and river. The water <br />table varies from 3 to 6 feet. <br />Grasses and forbs make up 85 percent of the plant community. <br />The site has some of the grasses present in a climax condition plus <br />many species that have come in due to the disturbance by man. <br />Forbs are also more numerous than would normally be expected. Willow, <br />narrowleaf cottonwood, and thinleaf alder are common along the river- <br />banks, but not in any significant quantity. Annual forage production <br />on an undisturbed site would be 2000 to 3000 pounds per acre, although <br />the Crystal Meadows site would probably not exceed 1700 pounds per <br />acre. <br />Rehabilitation Recommendations <br />• If possible, the topsoil from any area to be disturbed should <br />be removed and stockpiled for later use. Topsoil should be applied <br />evenly at a minimum depth of six to eight inches over suitable sub- <br />soil material to provide at least 18 inches of root growth medium. <br />An 18 inch depth is necessary for storage of water in the soil to <br />field capacity from moisture received during fall and winter months. <br />Species selected for rehabilitation should include shrubs, <br />grasses, and forbs. Nearly all the shrub species occuring naturally <br />on this site can be re-seeded successfully, except for Gambels oak. <br />Many introduced grass and forbs are adapted to a brush site. The <br />availability of seed and planned future use will largely determine <br />the species to be planted. <br />Soil preparation should include control of weed species prior <br />to planting. Drilling is recommended over broadcasting where <br />machinery can be operated. If seed is broadcast it should be covered <br />with soil. Harrows, discs or small sheep-foot rollers may be used <br />• <br />