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. . <br />'~•~ United Steles <br />i;~~~ Department of <br />'~~, Agriculture <br />• SO1~ <br />Conservation <br />Service <br />EX~,,bt:t D-z ~ <br />'Ul Camino del Rio <br />Durango, CC 81301 <br />January 31, 1983 <br />Mr. Alton Hess <br />10197 U.S. Hwy. 550 <br />.Durango, CO 81301 <br />Dear Alton: <br />On January 12, we examined the hill site you are interested in developing for <br />a gravel pit. The attached letter from Douglas Ramsey, our soil scientist, <br />discusses the soils on the site in more detail. I will limit my comments to <br />reclamation of this site. <br />The area should be shaped after use so that no slope exceeds 3:1. The topsoil <br />should then be spread at least 8 inches thick on the site. Allow time for this <br />soil to settle. Then you should spread 40 Lbs, of nitrogen and 40 Lbs. of phos- <br />phorus on the site. The grass species to be seeded per acre should be: <br />crested wheatgrass - Nordan - 3.5 Lbs. pure live seed per acre <br />pubescent wheatgrass - Luna - 4.9 Lbs. pure live seed per acre <br />Indian ricegrass - Paloma - 1.9 Lbs. pure live seed per acre <br />galleta - Viva - 1.2 Lbs. pure live seed per acre <br />Note that this mixture is in pure live seed (PLS). Bulk seed purchase should <br />be more than this to equal the pure live seed rating (PLrS~= bulk weight x <br />germination x purity). If one of these species are unavailable, you should <br />increase the amount of the other two species by 2 Lbs. of PLS each. The seed <br />should be drilled in. If any other seeding method is used, the suggested rates <br />are doubled. In order to insure seeding success, the seed should be drilled in <br />August or wait until late fall-early winter to drill. <br />If there are any significant slopes of 2Y or more, the slope should be mulched <br />with a grass hay or straw at 4,000 Lbs per acre prior to seeding. <br />A grass drill should be used to drill the seed. The seed should be mixed and <br />agitated during drilling. <br />After the grass has sprouted, a weed control program should be started. Weeds <br />can be mowed by setting the blade above the grass size. If you wish, the <br />site can be sprayed with 3/4 Lb. 2,4-D per acre when the grass is in the 2-leaf <br />stage. <br />Recommendations have been on a per acre basis. You should multiply the number <br />of acres times the seed, fertilizer, mulch, and chemical recommendations to come <br />up with the total amount of each needed. <br />If I can be of any futher assistance, please do not hesitate to call me at <br />259-0195. <br />Si/ng~ely, _ <br />O David A. Miller, District Consen;ationist <br />The soA Consarvahon sernce <br />lJ i9 8n BQBnCY O~ IhB <br />Deparlmenl of Agriculture <br />sC5 AS ~ <br />10-79 <br />