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Coor~rative Extension <br />Co!~n.do Stete University <br />~~~rr//--~~ 619 Main 1001 North 2nd <br />~~(~ Ir-=\` ~ P.O. Boz 20,000-5028 Frientlship Hall <br />\\flLr \// ~~// Grand Junction, CO 81502-5028 Montrose, CO 81401 <br />(303) 2aa-7834 (303) 249-3935 <br />Reply to: <br />RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR <br />Coloc~o <br />[;t11aC[SIC}" <br />County Courthouse Annex <br />5th and Palmer <br />Delta. CO 81416 <br />(303) 874-3519 <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 ~ hat will be reseeded should have slopes that <br />are no greater tha,p,a 3 to 1 ratio (33o slope). <br />Activities that create considerable soil compaction (e.g. gravel <br />pits and roadsides), a ripping operation of 8 to 10 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 Stale University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado Countie, coOperanng. <br />Cooperative Extension programs are available to all without discnminauon. <br />