ABSTRACT
This chapter presents design information for application of sewage sludge to reclamation sites. If land application of sewage sludge is used in the reclamation process, it is important to consider federal and state mining regulations concerning revegetation and the federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act and its amendments. Part 503 regulation specifies that for land reclamation, the permitting authority can authorize a variance from the agronomic rate requirement for sewage sludge application. An advantage of using sewage sludge for land reclamation is that it is a slow-release source of organic nitrogen fertilizer that will supply some nitrogen (N) for 3 to 5 years. Under the federal Part 503 regulation, the permitting authority may authorize for reclamation sites a sewage sludge application rate greater than the agronomic rate for N. The amount of nitrogen needed to establish vegetation on a reclamation site depends on the type of vegetation to be grown and the amount of nitrogen available in the soil.
