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• Also, the estimated soil losses for the undisturbed areas can be <br />directly compared to accurate measurements of the sediment loss <br />~' at the sites since all disturbed areas are fed into sediment <br />control ponds. The sediment levels in the ponds have been <br />carefully recorded for many years. <br />Fifth, the Soil Conservation Service has developed calculations <br />regarding acceptable soil losses for various soil and vegetative <br />communities. The local Meeker SCS office has compiled these "T" <br />estimates of acceptable soil loss for all the soils at the <br />reclaimed areas. This information is helpful because it provides <br />additional information in order to arrive at a standard for the <br />reclaimed areas. <br />For the reasons discussed above, it is felt that the fourth <br />method, using the USLE techniques, is best suited for the Meeker <br />Area Mines. tt will provide the best scientific comparison <br />between a standard and what is actually occurring at the <br />reclaimed areas. The soil loss estimates for the undisturbed <br />areas will be individually developed for all three sites and will <br />be compared to the "T" estimates of acceptable soil loss at the <br />same sites. A standard will then be developed from combined the <br />information. <br />• <br />Soil Loss Estimates <br />The Universal Soil Loss Equation was developed in 1965 by <br />Wischmeier and Smith using earlier equations by Musgrave in 1947. <br />The equation does account for rill and inter-rill erosion. Its <br />complete form is listed below: <br />A= R x K x( L x S) x C x P x SOL <br />where: <br />A = soil loss in tons/year per acre <br />R = rainfall factor (from standard chart of area) <br />K = soil erodibility factor (function of site specific <br />soil) <br />• <br />M-I28 <br />~l~l~ <br />