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The total land area reclaimed in 1983-1984 was 78.5 acres; using 79,700 <br />• yards3 as an approximate estimate of topsoil availability, there was approxi- <br />mately 49.4 acre feet of topsoil available to reclaim the backfilled area, <br />yielding an average of 6 to~9 inc_h~ of topsoil. The topsoil was good quality, <br />with easy workability and tilth due to its organic matter content and texture, <br />with a pH range within the ideal range for plant growth (Western Fertilizer <br />Handbook, 1975), and no limitation in regard to sodium, calcium, magnesium con- <br />tents, electrical conductivity, or saturation percentage lsee Section 2.05.3 for <br />additional soil and overburden data). <br />The high, very fine sand and silt content and relatively low clay content <br />of the topsoil make the disturbed area vulnerable to wind and water erosion. <br />For this reason, the timing of topsoil spreading was controlled to allow rapid <br />establishment of a cover crop or of the permanent vegetative cover (Section <br />• 2.05.4). <br />Haul road stockpiles are similar to the topsoil on the backfilled area and <br />show similar high quality for seedbed and vegetative establishment and exhibit <br />the same tendency for wind and water erosion. <br />The Winevada and Unnamed soil sampling locations within the area are shown <br />on Map 5. Consistent with other soil samples in the permit area, these soils <br />show few limitations for use as topsoil material other than erosion susceptibil- <br />ity in exposed area. Table 2.04.9-4 shows the horizon designations, thickness <br />and topsoil quality for both soils. Field sheets with descriptions of the spe- <br />cific horizons sampled are in Appendix 2.04.9-1. <br />L J <br />- 119 - (Rev. 5/86) <br />