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J. <br />Topsoil Preparation Procedures <br />13.1 Irrigated Cropland (Prime farmland) Topsoil Preparation Procedures <br />Topsoil replacement operations may be carried out during most of the year, the exception being <br />those periods when wet conditions would preclude handling of the topsoil materials. <br />1- Ripping - Prior to replacement of topsoil, the graded spoil (Bench 1 material) will be ripped to <br />reduce compaction. This will be done to a depth of 2 feet. This will be done by dozer with <br />rippers or a chisel plow. Where the Bench 1 material is used as suitable subsoil, on the east side <br />of the Morgan property, ripping will o(cur to a depth of 4 feet and cross ripping will be employed. <br />The 4 feet of ripping with cross ripping will also be used in any area of irrigated Cropland where <br />heavy traffic has also occurred. Upon placement of the Lift B subsoil, this material,will also he <br />ripped after placement to a depth of 24-30 inches, depending on the depth of the soil placement. <br />2 - Land leveling - WFC uses a blade of 16' to 24' width pulled behind a farm tractor to level the <br />topsoil surface and allow a smoother surface for seeding <br />3 -Rock picking - WFC will use a mechanical device such as a Vermeer rock picker that is pulled <br />behind a tractor that rakes up large rocks over approximately Ae-kinch-es 3in diameter. Rocks up <br />to 12 diameter are picked up by the device. The rocks are rrE roved from the field. <br />4 - Fertility testing - This test is conducted within 3 months of topsoil placement. Three soil <br />samples will be obtained from the top 2 feet of soil in the field to be tested. The field is basically <br />defined as that area that has recently been topsoiled. Samples will be taken and analyzed by a <br />lab using the standard soil test for pH, salts, organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, and <br />phosphorous. The lab will be informed that the desired crop is alfalfa and that the desired 1't cut <br />production is 2.00 tons per acre. <br />5 - Disking and chisel plowing - Prior to final seedbed preparation, soil conditioning and weed <br />control tillage will be carried out through the use of chisel plowing and/or disking. Chisel <br />plowing will relieve any topsoil compaction, will aid in controlling weedy species, and will leave <br />the site in a temporary toughened condition reducing wind and water erosion potential. Disking <br />will be used to condition soil, break up clods, and control weeds through tillageprior to seeding.