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<br />alive Extension <br />State University <br />Coloxa.1_`` <br />N~i~)L- <br />619 Main 1001 North 2nd County Courthouse Annex <br />P.O. Box 20.000-5028 Frientlship Hall 5th and Palmer <br />Grand Junction, CO 81502-5028 Montrose. CO 81401 Delta. CO 81416 <br />(303) 244-183a (303) 249-3935 (303) 674-3519 <br />Reply to: <br />RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR <br />RECLAMATION SITES <br />(ROADSIDES, UTILITIES, SURFACE MINING, CUT/FILL SLOPES) <br />IN THE TRI RIVER AREA <br />(DELTA, MESA, MONTROSE, AND OURAY COUNTIES) <br />A. WAYNE COOLEY <br />AREA EXTENSION AGENT (SOIL & CROP SCIENCE) <br />TRI RIVER AREA <br />COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION <br />JOHN MURRAY <br />RANGE CONSERVATIONIST <br />NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) <br />MONTROSE, COLORADO <br />DENNIS GORSETT <br />SOIL CONSERVATIONIST <br />NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) <br />GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO <br />LAND PREPARATION: Surface Mining - The first step to be taken in <br />an area that will need to be reclaimed is to stockpile the <br />topsoil for use when reseeding. The top 6" to 24" (depending on <br />availability) of topsoil and/or overburden shall be stockpiled <br />and replaced in its original profile prior to revegetation. <br />Roadsides, Utilities, Cut/Fill Slopes - Replace the disturbed <br />soil as close to the original soil profile as possible prior to <br />revegetation. <br />The disturbed area that will be reseeded should have slopes that <br />are no greater tha-q,a 3 to 1 ratio (33% slope). <br />Activities that create considerable soil compaction (e.g. gravel <br />pits and roadsides), a ripping operation of 8 to l0 inches should <br />take place before replacing the top soil. The scarification <br />process on highly compacted soils provides at least two benefits. <br />Fracturing the soil allows for root penetration and forms pockets <br />for capturing moisture. <br />After the topsoil is replaced, a firm seedbed is required before <br />planting grass seed. A common cause of seeding failure is <br />inadequate seedbed preparation. The seedbed should be firm <br />enough to allow good seed-to-soil contact. A firm seedbed helps <br />Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating, <br />Cooperative Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. <br />