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<br />RECLAMATION PROCEDURES <br />Prior to excavation, the topsoil shall be removed at a depth of one foot and stockpiled at a <br />nearby site. This topsoil will be used after the mining operation is completed for reclamation <br />purposes. <br />After the area has been mined, all vertical excavated areas and other steep slopes shall be <br />leveled to 2:1 slopes or less and smoother. The disturbed area should than be reseeded to <br />permanent cover suited to the site. <br />Manure should be applied at a rate of fifteen to twenty tons per acre, spread uniformly over <br />the area and incorporated into the top four inches of the surface layer. The manure must be of a <br />type that has 60% or more, by weight, heavy chunks 5 inches or more in diameter. <br />After the manure is worked into the soil grass seed can be drilled. The attached seeding <br />recommendation was developed as a critical area planting. Basically this means that the pure live <br />seed (pls) seeding rates are doubled from normal grass planting. The species recommended are for <br />loam soil with most of the grass species being mid to tall grasses. Ideally, the grass should be sown <br />using a grass drill with 7-12 inch spacing that is capable of planting fluffy seeds, has a seedbox <br />agitator, small seedbox for heavier grass seeds (such as switchgrass), double disc furrow openers <br />with depth bands, and packer wheels. Seed should be planted a depth of 1 /4 - 3/4 inch. to <br />accurately maintain seeding depth, drilling speed should 4-4.5 mph. If broadcast is desired, the <br />required seed will be two times the amount of seed in column five. (see attached CO-ECS-S) Grass <br />should be drilled anytime after November 1 and before April 30th. <br />After the grass has be drilled, to conserve moisture; prevent surface compaction or crusting; <br />reduce runoff and erosion; control insects; and help establish plant cover apply mulch to area. The <br />material can be grass hay or cereal grain straw (weed free) at a rate of 4,000 Ibs/ac of air dry <br />material spread uniformly over the area. Crimping the mulch into the soil is desired and can be <br />obtained with a disc plow by setting the disc straight and applying adequate weight to crimp the straw <br />4 inches into the soil. This technique will prevent wind erosion from harsh winter storms. <br />The reclaimed area should then be fenced to protect the area from grazing livestock until an <br />adequate stand of grass is developed. <br />An additional benefit in reclaiming the site is in the development of wildlife habitat. Trees <br />and/or shrub planting can be incorporated which will provide cover and protection to wildlife. See <br />attached Planning, Planting plan for wildlife habitat. <br />If there are any other areas in the reclamation process whereby you desire the assistance of <br />the NRCS, feel free to contact our office. <br />Sincerei~ ~ ~~~~ I <br />D~,ol~l/i%lA•~Gonzales ~~~~_f/~_ <br />Resource Conservationist <br />