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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE <br />SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE <br />356 Ranney Street, Craig, Colora-do 81625 <br />March 22, 1979 <br />Mr. Wayne Robinson <br />Colorado State Highway Department <br />Craig, Colorado 81625 <br />Dear Mr. Robinson: <br />The following recommendations on reclamation of the gravel pit in <br />Ma.ybell are made at your request. To assist you in successful <br />revegetation of the gravel pit the'following guidelines should be helpful. <br />I 1. During mining operations 10 to 12 inches of topsoil should be <br />stockpiled for later use in revegetative measures. <br />I 2. After mining the area should be shaped and graded with subsoil material. <br />Slopes should not be steeper than 3:1. Slopes of 6:1 or flatter are more <br />desireable. In general, the chances for vegetation establishment increase <br />?.._ as percent slope decreases. After shaping and grading have been completed <br />apply the available topsoil l/ to the a>rea. The site should be tilled <br />to a depth of approximately 6 inches. Tillage will permit the topsoil <br />to bind with the subsoil material, prevent airpockets, encourage root <br />penetration and prevent topsoil slippage on slopes. If the topsoil is <br />placed on the area during the summer and seeding will not be done until <br />fall the! site should be kept free from weeds. <br />3. Fertilize immediately prior to seeding with 40-60 pounds available <br />N and 40-60 pounds available P 0 per acre. 200 pounds of either <br />Amonium Nitrate or Amonium SulMe per acre along with 100 pounds of <br />Super Phosphate per acre will provide the desired amount of N and P205- <br />Apply the fertilizer during the seedbed preparation before packing it. <br />The fertilizer should be incorporated into the soil to a depth of <br />2 to 4 inches. <br />4. A weed-free, firm but not compacted seedbed should be prepared before <br />seeding., A cultipacker or similar equipment can be used to firm up <br />the seedbed. The soil should be firm enough that when a man walks on it <br />the heel of his shoe will only sink into the-soil an inch or so. <br />5. Drill the following grass-legume mixture 1/2 to 1 inch deep in the <br />prepares. seedbed. Planting should be made with e drill capAb le of <br />seeding both large and small seeds in separate compartments. Care should <br />