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2.3.3 MINING AND RECLAMATION INFORMATION <br /> <br />2.3.3.1 Soil Reconstruction Material for Mined Land <br />METHOD OF EVALUATION <br />Soils of the project area were analyzed to estimate the potential productivity <br />using the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) guideline for evaluating soil as a plant <br />growth media presented in Table 2.3-I. The table includes SAR, EC, toxic materials, <br />pH, available water capacity, erosion factor, wind erosion group, texture, and <br />percentage of coarse fragments. <br />When the soil materials are properly used in reconstruction, agood rating means <br />vegetation is relatively easy to establish and maintain, the surface is stable and <br />resists erosion, and the reconstructed soil has good potential productivity. Material <br />rated fair can be vegetated and stabilized by modifying one or more properties. Top <br />dressing with better material or application of soil amendments may be necessary for <br />satisfactory performance. Material rated poor has such severe problems that <br />revegetation and stabilization is difficult and costly. Top dressing with better <br />• material is more than likely necessary To establish and maintain vegetation. <br />Excessive amounts of substances that restrict plant growth, such as sodium and <br />salt, create problems in establishing vegetation, and therefore also influence erosion <br />and the stability of the surface. Other substances such as selenium, boron, and <br />arsenic get into the food chain and are toxic to animals that eat The vegetation. Of <br />all these substances, only sodium and salt are criteria in the guide. If relatively high <br />levels of Toxic substances are in the reconstruction material, The material should be <br />rated poor. <br />Vegetation is difficult to establish on soils with high pH. A high sodium <br />absorption ratio indicates potential instability and water Transmission problems. High <br />pH or SAR are not problems with The soils tested in the project area. <br />Available water capacity also is important in establishing vegetation. It may be <br />difficult to establish vegetation on soils with a low available water capacity. <br />The stability of the soil depends upon its potential for erodibility by water and <br />wind and its strength. Water erodibility is indicated by The K factor; wind erodibility <br />is rated according to the wind erodibility group (Tables 2.3-2, 2.3-3). (The K factor <br />• is used in sediment pond design in Section 4.6.1). Potential slippage hazard is related <br />to soil texture, and although other factors also contribute, the ratings of soil texture <br />2.3-139 <br />