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1 Par[ 603 • plication of Soil Information • 603.03-3(e) (e) Soil reconstruction material for drastically disturbed areas. See [able 603-25. Soil reconstruction of areas drastically disturbed, as in surface mining, is the process of replacing layers of soil material or unconsolidated geologic material or both in a vertical sequence of such quality and thickness that they provide a favorable medium for plant growth. (1) Mos[ new state strip mine programs emphasize that the land surface be restored [o about its natural configuration or better and the soil be reconstructed to maintain or improve its suitability for the intended use. Thus, a knowledge of the soil and underlying material is needed to plan proper reconstruction operations of mined land. This guide for soil reconstruction material evaluates the material as a medium for plant growth. It can be used to rate any segment of the soil profile or unconsolidated geologic material that is thick enough to warrant consideration in planned soil reconstruction. For named kinds of soil, for example, it will be necessary for most purposes to rate the A horizon, the B horizon, and the C horizon separately. If they all rate "good," there may be little justification ir~r keeping them separate for soil reconstruction. If the A horizon is rated betc~r than the B or C, Chen it generally should be kept separate, depending ~~~on its thickness and the anticipated use of the land. This guide d~.cs ~.~.~t cover quarry, pit, dredge, and older surface mine operations [hat require an offsite source of soil reconstruction material--the guide "Daily Cover for Sanitary Landfill" is useful to evaluate the material used in / restoration of these operations. l (2) When the soil materials are properly used in reconstruction, a rating of good means vegetation is relatively easy to establish and main- tain, the surface is stable and resists erosion, and Che reconstructed soil has good potential productivity. Material rated fair can be vegetated and stabilized by modifying one or more properties. Topdressing with better material or application of soil amendments may be necessary for satisfactory performance. Material rated poor has such severe problems that revegetation and stabilization are very difficult and costly. Topdressing with better material is necessary to establish and maintain vegetation. (3) The major properties that influence erosion and stability of the surface and the productive potential of the reconstructed soil are listed in the guide. 603-90 (430-VI-NSH, July 1983)