Implementation

Section 201: Clearing and Grubbing

The clearing and grubbing specification offers an opportunity to leave the site with more organic matter in the soil, in a less compacted state, and with a more uneven surface than typically is implemented. These are all components important for long term establishment of native plant communities.

• Clearing: "Cleared" areas have relatively intact soils but maybe areas of soil compaction. Plants typically grow back in a few years.
• Grubbing: "Grubbed" areas typically have minimum topsoil depths or topsoils that have been mixed with subsoils. Soils are often compacted due to heavy equipment operation. Revegetation is usually difficult.

The revegetation specialist can assist the project engineer in identifying "sensitive" areas that can be "cleared" but not "grubbed".

The Standards specifically identifies areas adjacent to bodies of water (201.03) to be protected, but wet areas and sensitive soils should also be cleared and not grubbed.