Plant materials for use on surface-mined lands in arid and semiarid regions /

Abstract

The spoils are on stream bottoms and are composed of coarse fragments generallv classified as rocks and boulders. Surface materials are not available to cover these areas sufficiently to revegetate them, and almost any reclamation procedure would produce large amounts of sediment. Few of the old placer mine spoils produce sediment, indicating that the least amount of environmental degradation would occur if these spoils were left undisturbed. The spoils are usually in a regular pattern and often located near abandoned mine towns where they may be most useful as tourist and historical attractions. Sand and gravel pits These pits account for approximately 26 percent of the total area disturbed by surface mining in the United States. Many pits are reclaimed because of their concentration in urban areas where land values are high. In most areas such reclamation is not required by law. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1937. Range plant handbook. U.S. Dep. Agric, Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1955 to 1978. Plant materials annual technical reports, release notices, other SCS reports, and field office technical guides. Mimeographed materials.