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<br />PAGE 3 OF 3 <br />08/8/00 <br />CONSTRUCTION IIATERIAIS <br />Endnote -- CONSTRUCTION IUTERIALS--Continued <br /> <br />Topsoil is used to cover an area so that vegetation can be established eM maintained. The upper 40 inches of a soil <br />is evaluated for use as topsoil. Also evaluated is the reclamation potential of the borrow area. Plant growth is <br />effected 6y toxic material and by such properties as soil reaction, available water capacity, aM fertility. The ease <br />of excavating, loading, and spreading is affected by rock fragments, slope, a water table, soil texture, atd thickness <br />of suitable material. Reclamation of the borrow area is affected by slope, a water table, rock fragments, bedrock, <br />and toxic material. <br />Soils rate "Good" have friable loamy material to a depth of at least 40 inches. They are free of stones end cobbles, <br />have little or no gravel, and have slopes of less than B percent. They are low in content of soluble salts, are <br />naturally fertile or respond well to fertilizer, and are not so wet that excavation is difficult. <br />Soils rated "Fair" are sandy soils, loamy soils that have a relatively high content of clay, soils that have only 20 <br />to 40 inches of suitable material, soils that have an appreciable amount of gravel, stones, or soluble salts, or <br />soils that have slopes of B to 15 percent. The soils are not so wet that excavation is difficult. <br />Sails rate "Poor" are very sandy or clayey, have less than 20 inches of suitable material, have a large amount of <br />gravel, stones, or soluble salts, have slopes of more than 15 percent, or have a seasonal water table et or near the <br />surface. The surface layer of oast soils is generally preferred for topsoil because of it organic matter content, <br />Organic matter greatly increases the absorption and retention of moisture and nutrients for plant growth. <br />