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<br />RECLAMATION PROCEDURES <br />Prior to excavating the y~avelJmaterial, the topsoil shall <br />be removed at a depth of one foot and stockpiled at a nearby <br />site. This topsoil will be used after the mining operation is <br />completed for reclamation purposes. Mining of the gravel <br />material can begin at this point. <br />After the area has been mined of the gravel, all vertical <br />excavation areas and other steep slopes shall be leveled to 2:1 <br />slopes or less and smoothed. The stockpiled topsoil shall then <br />be replaced and smoothed. The disturbed area should then be <br />reseeded to permanent cover suited to the site. <br />The reseeding shall follow the CRITICAL AREA PLANTING <br />specification in con,iunctioh with the MULCHING and RANGE SEEDING <br />SPECIFICATIONS. Copies of these specifications are attached. <br />Recommended grasses for seeding are sand bluestem, prairie <br />sandreed, swithchgrass, yellow indiangrass, western wheatgrass, <br />and sideoats grams. It is best to drill the grass seed with a <br />grass drill leaving the seed covered 1/4 to 3/4 inch deep. If <br />broadcasting the seed is a desired option, the seed must be <br />incorporated into the soil not to exceed a depth of 3/4 inch. <br />This can be performed by raking, harrowing, or other acceptable <br />methods of seed coverage. The grass seeding may be accomplished <br />anytime between or during the dates of November 1 and April 30. <br />Attached is a GRASS SEEDING PLANNED worksheet showing <br />recommended grasses to be seeded into the reclaimed site. <br />Because the grass seeding is following a critical area planting, <br />the grass seed needed for seeding will be two times the amount <br />seeded under normal grass seed planting conditions. Therefore, <br />column five (5) includes two times the pure live seed needed for <br />drilling. Ifi broadcast is desired, the required seed will be two <br />times (again) the amount of seed in column five. <br />Mulching can be completed by applying straw or grass hay to <br />the site (after drilling the grass seed) at the rate of 4,000 <br />pounds per acre. Methods for anchoring the straw in place is <br />outlined in the MULCHING specification, including using a <br />straight disc a5 a Straw crimper. <br />The reclaimed area should then be fenced to protect the area <br />from grazing livestock until an adequate stand of grass is <br />developed. <br />An additional benefit in reclaiming the site is in the <br />development of wildlife habitat- Trees and/or shrub plantings <br />can be incorporated which will provide cover and protection to <br />wildlife. If such an option is desired, please contact the Soil <br />Conservation Service for assistance in planning for a wildlife <br />habitat- <br />If there are any other areas in the reclamation process <br />whereby Washington County desires the assistance of the Soil <br />Conservation Service, feel free to contact our office. <br />Re ctfully, <br />(,[IC. ~ .,V ~. <br />Ronald L. Neher <br />District Conservationist <br />Enclosures <br />