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BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OVERVIEW <br />Maintaining or establishing surface hydrologic stability is a critical component in the mining <br />and reclamation process. Adequately controlling erosion and m,mm,zing sediment <br />transport serves to prevent or m;n;m;~r impacts to receiving waters, and supports and <br />enhances the long-teen stability of reclaimed areas. There are a variety BMPs that may be <br />employed to accomplish these goals during development, operation and reclamation of the <br />project. BMPs may be used independently or in wmbinatron to accomplish erosion and <br />sediment control objectives. While serving a common purpose then: are distinct <br />apphcatons to which BMPs are best suited. <br />Erosion and sediment control requires the use of specific BMPs that address different <br />physical conditions than those associated with channel reconstruction. Generally, surface <br />sheet flow control practices vary physically from those used to control concentrated surface <br />flows because of the differences in environmental conditions and requirements. Selecting a <br />single or combination of BMPs for use on a site must take into consideration the variety of <br />flow conditions that may occur then;. Often there isn't a correct solution, but rather a <br />variety of combinations that may accomplish erosion and sediment control objectives for a <br />given location. Typically, complex flows require more sophisticated stnrctures and <br />practices than less complex flows. <br />BMPs have betr- grouped in these appendices based on their primary uses or applications. <br />While the use of some of them may be limited to the category in wtuch they ate placed, <br />many of them present useful applications in multiple categories. Typical installations for <br />BMPs are provided for clarity. The practice of routinely prescribing controls for erosion <br />and sedimentation problems will be avoided. Each drainage situation will be treated <br />creatively to m;n;m;~r construction and treatment costs, while striving to max;m;~r the <br />effectiveness of BMPs. <br />SURFACE TREATMENTS AND SLOPE PROTECTION <br />Surface treatments and slope protection practices serve to provide temporary stabilization <br />for the soil surface at any time during operational disturbance and while vegetation is being <br />established during reclamation. These tieatrnents and practices also reduce surface flows <br />and trap sediment. In reclaimed areas these treatments promote water harvesting and <br />conservation. Factors which affect selection of a surface tteawern or slope protection <br />practice are slope steepness, slope length, soil physical characteristics, aspect, types and <br />amounts of surface water flows to be controlled, and the potential ability to revegetate the <br />location. All of these variables may be considered on asite-specific basis when plamning <br />and implementing surface tieatmens and slope protection. <br />Ripping, Disking and Plowing <br />Ripping, disking and plowing roughen the surface by loosening and plowing it up into <br />linear rows. Ripping is usually performed by a motorgrader or a bulldozer equipped with a <br />single or gang of ripper shanks. Disking and plowing are accomplished using a vanety of <br />agricultural implements. Ripping will be performed along the contour. Bulldozers must <br />be used for steeper slope ripping in order to remain on contour. This type of surface <br />roughening may be performed at any time within the disturbed area. There are two points <br />th the reclamation process where it is most effectively employed. Prior to soil <br />reconstnrction the graded surface may be ripped to provide an effective interface between <br />subsoil and topdressing. Rougheming at this stage of the soil reconstmction process serves <br />to prevent topdressing slippage or cu+cular slope failures. It may also promote subsoil <br />C-1 <br />