2009-02-26_PERMIT FILE - M2009018 (10)

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Exhibit I & J - Soils & Vegetation Information Resoiled areas will be allowed a minimum of three months to settle prior to seeding. Seeding will follow in the fall or spring as detailed under Exhibit E - Reclamation Plan. Resoiling will occur when soil moisture is adequate to prevent blowing, yet dry enough to prevent compaction. Part of the soil rebuilding process on the reconstituted soils will be in establishing structure to the soils to facilitate plant-soil-water relationships. Overly compacted soils will tend to limit soil structure development and create a poor seedbed for later establishment. Once applied to the surface, the new soils will be exposed to the raw forces of erosion until adequate vegetative cover and root mass develops. Erosion requires both detachment and transportation in order to occur. Running water, wind, and raindrop impact are the main forces of erosion acting upon the soil. The use of a sterile hybrid live cover crop will aid in the stabilization of the soil by allowing a quick vegetative cover to become established in advance of the native grasses. The hybrid will also serve as an aid to reduce competition resulting from the establishment and growth of unwanted pioneer species (weeds) on disturbed ground. The attending reclamation seed mixture has a provision for the use of a sterile hybrid in lieu of mulch. Mulch, even when crimped with specialized equipment, is subject to being blown off the property, or reduced to an ineffective stubble. Often, it has been observed to intercept rainfall where it quickly evaporates from the stubble surface, limiting the benefits of light precipitation by preventing infiltration and percolation of moisture to the root zone. The hybrid on the other hand will establish quickly but since it is sterile will not continue to compete with the emerging native grasses. After two to three years it will begin to die out just as the native grasses emerge and improve their dominance over the revegetated areas. Generally, the percent organic matter content (approximately 1 to 3 percent for native soils) of stockpiled soils will fall over time. If soil organic matter content falls below 1 percent, a minimum or the equivalent of two tenths of one percent (0.2%) of organic matter will be added to the soil at a rate of four (4) tons of manure per acre to the location in question. This should prove adequate to assure initial germination, establishment, and survival of the applied seed mixture, all other conditions (field available moisture, etc.) being satisfactory. The applied organics will aid in the restructuring of the new soils by increasing the moisture and fertility holding capacity of the upper profile while simultaneously facilitating root development of the emerging grasses. As the roots of the emerging grasses develop and mature over time, the resulting root mass will serve Varra Companies, Inc. Heintzelman Project RMS 112 Permit Application 4 2 February 2008