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Ms. Sandy Emrich • • August f, 1983 Page 3 Results Chemical and physical characteristics for I I "old Wolf Creek Area" spoil samples are listed in Table I. The spoil type and vegetation composition is listed in the "field notes section" of Table I. The two Types of spoil have significantly different chemical and physical properties. The mixed spoil matrix which is predominantly light yellowish brown sandstone has a slightly acid to neutral soil reaction and a suitable acid-base potential value (lime requirement is less than 5 tons calcium carbonate per 1000 tons of spoil). An established vegetation cover cronsisting of orchardgrass, sheep fescue, Canada bluegrass, brome, titer milk- vetch, and alfalfa is present in this. type. The spoil matrix which is predominantly dark grey to black shale has an extremely acid soil reaction with acid-base potential values ranging from -4.6 to -16.0 tons calcium carbonate per 1000 tons spoil. "Slick" or "wet" spots with hard crusty surfaces are common in this spoil area. There is generally no established vegetation. In addition to the acidic spoil conditions, vegetation establish- ment is being curtailed by steep slopes, poor seedbed conditions caused by hard and crusty surfaces, poor infiltration and moisture availability and high surface temperatures due fo exposure, dark spoil color, and aspect. Extractable aluminum and iron are present at higher levels in the acidic spoil. The increase availability, due to a more acidic soil reaction, will be evaluated and correlated with the plant tissue analyses prior to the August 16th meeting between CMLR and Peabody. Fertility analyses were also completed on both types of spoil. There is no apparent differences in nitrogen or potassium levels between fhe Two spoil types. However, phos- phorous levels in the dark shale spoil areas are three times higher than those in the yellowish brown sandstone spoil areas. Fertility levels for both spoil Types will be evalu- ated in more detail with the plant tissue analyses results. Fertilizer recommendations will be presented to CMLR during the August 16th meeting. Vegetation establishment in the area is generally sparse, with success most dependent on the type of overburden. A few small areas have some spread topsoil and consequently better established vegetation. During final grading, topsoil was removed from areas where disturbance was required to achieve the final contours. These areas were gener- ally small and thus only small amounts of topsoil were salvaged. Excluding the small areas with spread topsoil, the most suitable graded overburden for plant establishment are light yellowish brown sandy materials. The highest number of established plants and greatest number of species occur on these sites. The following are the predominant species establishing in the "old Wolf Creek" reclama- tion areas: ~