PERMFILE119069

• Permit No: M1978279
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Name: GRAVEL PIT INVENTORY AND EVALUATION
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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GRAVEL PIT INVENTORY AND EVALUATIGN
for GARFIELD COUNTY
This report is in behalf of the Mount Sopris, Bookcliff and South Side
Soil Conservation Districts.
All the gravel pits in Garfield County submitted to the Soil Conserva-
tion Service £or review were visited. Same sites will be more diffi-
cult to reclaim than others because of precipitation zones and steep
slopes,
After revieti,ring the gravel pit sites of Garfield County, I think it
would be wise from now on to have pre-planning play a more meaningful
role in gravel pit development. Reclamation should be kept in mind
when gravel is being removed. Several of the pits in Garfield County,
i.e. Cattle Creek and Goldman Pits, are examples. The Soil Conserva-
tion Service would be more than happy to provide pre-planning assist-
ance on matters such as gravel pit development.
Several items will pertain to all the gravel pits in Garfield County
in their reclaim plan. Then each pit will be dealt with separately.
The main objectives to be kept in mind in a reclamation plan are to
protect the area from erosion and to maintain or improve the resource
base while maintaining an acceptable appearance.
Items that involve all gravel pit reclamation:
1. SHAPING - Ideal shaping after gravel is removed consists of North
and East slopes]ess than a four to one slope or 14° and South and
':lest slopes five to one slopes or 12°, tdany areas will not permit
this type of shaping, A two to one slope is the maximum slope for
seeding 30°. Contour grading along with contour terraces not only
conserves moisture but also provides a site for trees and shrubs
that may enhance the7andscape. Scarification following grading
provides for water detention and increased infiltration in addition
to a desirable seedbed for seed coverage and retention until germi-
nation is established.
2, MULCH - A soil mulch of straw or hay applied with asphalt to hold
it into place is recommended, or as a substitute a wood fiber
(silvifiber) applied with a hydroseeder can be used subsequent to
broadcast seeding and soil coverage. 1•fulches on steep south or
west facing slopes are highly recommended. Agronomy blankets have
been used in Colorado on steep road cuts and would be beneficial
in this case. Mulches and agronomy blankets conserve soil moisture
by reducing evaporation from the soil surface and helping minimize
erosion,