Laserfiche WebLink
• Soil Fertility. Replaced soil was sampled, tested, and evaluated for fertility to ensure <br />optimum germination, seedling emergence, and root growth conditions. Two distinct types <br />of soil were identified in the field while measuring soil thickness within the Pit 2 <br />reclamation area. Soil at sites 8, 9, 12, and 13, transported from stockpile 10, <br />consisted of grayish brown to brownish gray sandy loam while soil at the remaining ten <br />sites, replaced from stockpiles 9 and 13 consisted of reddish brown sandy loam and sandy <br />clay loam. <br />Soil subsamples for fertility analysis were collected from the same sites used to measure <br />soil thickness. The subsamples were composited into two samples according to soil type. <br />The soil was placed in clean, labeled, canvas storage bags and was kept cool and dry to <br />limit chemical changes. The samples were shipped to Inter-Mountain Laboratories in <br />Farmington, New Mexico for analysis. The soil analysis methods are listed in Table 2. <br />laboratory results for the two soil samples are presented in Table 3. Fertility levels <br />considered adequate to obtain good plant establishment, site stability, floristic <br />diversify, and moderate productivity are listed in Table 4. These fertility levels are <br />• recommended for native end improved range grasses. The soil in the Pit 2 reclamation area <br />has a high to excellent fertility status for soil reaction, texture, nitrate, and <br />ammonium. Phosphorus and organic matter levels are moderate to high. The laboratory data <br />indicate no fertilizer supplements will be needed for successful revege[aticn. <br />Soil Balance. Minimal soil handling activities have occurred since completion of the 1989 <br />Annual Topsoil Balance Report (PCC, 1989). The following discussion describes the <br />activities that took place during the 1990 field season and explains how the activities <br />affected the soil balance for Nucla Mine. <br />About 8.9 acre feet of soil from stockpile sites 9, 10, and 13 was replaced in the Pit 2 <br />reclamation area. This compares closely with the 7.4 acre foot projection presented in <br />the 1989 Annual Topsoil Balance Report (PCC, 1989). The sail reserve at stockpile sites 9 <br />and 10 was completely exhausted. Approximately 6.1 acre feet of soiR was removed from <br />stockpile site 13. About 55.3 acre feet of soil remain at this stockpile site. <br />Sufficient soil exists in stockpiles 2,3,8, and 13 to replace the required depths of soil <br />• specified on Exhibit 2, Postmine Soil Replacement Depths, presented with the 1989 Annual <br />Topsoil Balance Report (PCC, 1989). <br />3 <br />