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These soils have good potential as a source of sand and gravel. Capability subclass VIw; Salt <br />Meadow range site. <br />Bankard sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes <br />This is a deep, somewhat excessively drained soil on flood plans at elevations of 4,450 to 5,000 <br />feet. It formed in stratified recent alluvium along streams and rivers. Included in mapping are <br />numerous sand and gravel bars and small areas of noncalcareous soils. <br />Typically the surface layer of this Bankard soil is brown and sandy loam about 4 inches thick. The <br />underlying material to a depth of 60 inches is pale brown calcareous sand stratified with thin lenses <br />of sandy loam, loam, and fine gravel. <br />Permeability is moderately rapid. Available water capacity is low. The effective rooting depth is <br />60 inches or more. Surface runoff is slow, and the erosion hazard is low. <br />This soil is suited to limited cropping. It is sandy and subject to flooding. Pasture is the best use. <br />Tall wheatgrass, tall fescue, and annual sweetclover are some of the most suitable crops. Light, <br />frequent irrigation by furrows and flooding is best. Commercial fertilizer improves the amount and <br />value of forage produced. <br />The potential native vegetation is dominated by switchgrass, indiangrass, sand bluestem, sand <br />reedgrass, sideoats grama, needleandthread, and blue grama. Much of this range site includes other <br />soils and vegetation in such a complex pattern that it is difficult to map them separately. Potential <br />production ranges from 2,500 pounds per acre in favorable years to 1,500 pounds in unfavorable <br />years. As range condition deteriorates, the tall and mid grasses decrease; blue grama, sand <br />dropseed, and forbs increase; and forage production drops. Undesirable weeds and annuals invade <br />'the site as range condition becomes poorer. <br />:Management of vegetation should be based on taking half and leaving half of the total annual <br />production. Seeding is desirable only in areas large enough to interseed or to prepare a seedbed. <br />Switchgrass, sand bluestem, sand reedgrass, sideoats grama, little bluestem, blue grama, pubescent <br />wheatgrass, and intermediate wheatgrass are suitable for seeding. This soil can be seeded by using <br />an interseeder or a firm, clean sorghum stubble. A grass drill is required. Seeding early in spring <br />has proven most successful. <br />This soil is generally not suited to the establishment and growth of trees and shrubs. Onsite <br />investigation is needed to determine feasibility and possible tree and shrub species. <br />Wildlife is an important secondary use of this soil. The cropland areas provide favorable habitat for <br />ring-necked pheasant and mourning dove. Many nongame species can be attracted by establishing <br />areas for nesting and escape cover. For pheasants, undisturbed nesting cover is essential and should <br />be included in plans for habitat development, especially in areas of intensive agriculture. <br />Langeland wildlife, for example deer and antelope, can be attracted by managing livestock grazing <br />and reseeding where needed. <br />Parsons Mine <br />DRMS 112 Reclamation Permit Application <br />Page 12 of IIO