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<br />599-2 Land Reconstruction • <br />Specifications guide <br />Site preparation. Areas shall be cleared of trees, logs, brush, rubbish <br />and other undesirable materials. Areas to be preserved, including those <br />containing vegetation, stream corridors, natural springs or other important <br />features, shall be properly identified. <br />Removal of soil material for use as topsoil. All upper soil horizons to <br />be used in reconstructing the soil shall be removed from the immediate area <br />before drilling for blasting, mining or any surface disturbance other than <br />removal of woody plants. <br />All the A horizon shall be removed for use as surface soil on disturbed <br />areas. If the A horizon is less than 6 inches thick, enough material, other <br />than bedrock, immediately below the A horizon can be removed and used to <br />obtain this thickness. If the total thickness of the available material <br />is less than 6 inches, a12 unconsolidated material can be used. <br />If increased soil productivity is required for a post-mining use, the <br />B horizon or part of the C horizon or other underlying layers suitable for <br />root development shall be removed and segregated for use as subsoil. The <br />minimum depth of the soil and the soil material to be reconstructed shall • <br />be 48 inches or be equal to the depth of the subsurface horizon in the natural <br />soil, whichever is less. <br />Removal of overburden material for use as topsoil. Selected overburden <br />material can be substituted for or be added to the material in the A and <br />B horizons if it is demonstrated by field observations and chemical and <br />physical laboratory analyses that the overburden material or the overburden <br />and topsoil mixture is better suited to use in restoring the capability <br />and productivity of the land than the material originally in the A and B <br />horizons. Analyses can include determination of pH value; sulfide content; <br />percentage of organic material, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; texture; <br />and available water capacity. Field-site trials or greenhouse tests may <br />be needed to ascertain the feasibility of using overburden material. <br />If it is determined that the overburden material is suitable, it must <br />be removed, segregated and replaced according to the requirements specified <br />in this standard. <br />Storage of topsoil material. If it is impractical to spread the topsoil <br />immediately after the land is re-graded, it must be stockpiled. Stockpiles <br />shall be selectively located and protected from wind and water erosion, <br />unnecessary compaction and contamination by undesirable materials. An effec- <br />tive vegetative cover or other suitable practices can provide adequate protection. <br />• <br />April 1979 <br />