PERMFILE58053

• Permit No: M2000158
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 3/19/2001
• Doc Name: PLATTE VALLEY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMENTS
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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SOIL EROSION POTENTIAL: Most of the soil covered by this application is
considered highly erodible and should be protected. Mining or construction on this soil
should be planned so as to disturb as little soil as possible and measures should be taken to
prevent soil movement offsite. Please see the attached revegetation plan developed by
Norm Wells last May. We would recommend the following additions/changes to the
revegetation plan sent in the application package:
L The applicant needs to contact Ron Broda, Vegetation Weed Management
Specialist with the Weld County Public Works Department at [phone] X
3770 to develop a weed management plan. A weed management plan developed in
concurrence with Weld county is recommended as a means of controlling noxious
and other weeds. The application mentions weed control but did not specify the
source of its planning information.
2. The application specifies reclaimed perimeter slopes to be restored to 3 feet
horizontal to 1 foot vertical. Slopes steeper than 4 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical
cannot be seeded with a grass drill which will provide the best chance for stand
establishment. We recommend that the applicant revise the revegetation plan to
include perimeter slopes at 4:1 or shallower.
3. The application mentions applying 40 pounds per acre Potassium (PzOS) if a soil
test reveals a need for additional fertilizer. Potassium (PZOS) should be replaced
with Phosphorus (PZOS).
4. We recommend that the applicant test the soil for salinity (electroconductivity) in
addition to fertilizer requirements. This area has an abundance of salt tolerant
vegetation growing on it which indicates a potentially saline soil. If the soil is high
in salts it may be necessary to plant salt tolerant grasses which will change the
grass mix recommended by the NRCS.
5. It is not recommended that the applicant perform fall seeding prior to November 1.
Seeding before soil temperature drops below what is needed for germination may
enable the seed to break dormancy and begin growth. There is not enough time
between September and the first hard frost for the grass to become established
enough to survive the winter. We also recommend that planting not occur after
April 30. Seed planted later in the spring and summer will not have matured
enough to compete with weeds for moisture by the time soil water becomes scarce
and the weather turns hot. Planting should occur between November 1 and April
30 into unfrozen soil.
6. No mention was made in the application as to how the new grass seeding would be
protected from erosion. Weed cover will protect the ground from eroding but will
not allow the grass to germinate because weeds are better competitors than grass
seedlings for soil moisture. We recommend that the applicant follow the
recommendations for mulching sent by the NRCS (see attached).
7. The application mentioned that topsoil stockpiles would be protected from soil
erosion by seeding them with two pounds per 100 square feet Western wheatgrass
seed. Western wheatgrass is an excellent native grass with high wildlife value but
is not the best species for temporary cover. We recommend that the applicant plant
5 pounds pure live seed per acre Crested wheatgrass `Ephraim' using a grass drill,
or twice that amount if the seed is broadcast. Crested wheatgrass grows much
faster than Western wheatgrass and will provide better erosion control.