15A NCAC 18E .0506      SAPROLITE

(a)  Sites classified unsuitable due to depth to saprolite or other LC may be reclassified suitable in accordance with this Rule.

(b)  Sites with saprolite shall be classified as suitable if an investigation of the site using pits at locations approved by the authorized agent confirms that the following conditions are met:

(1)           a 24-inch minimum vertical separation shall be maintained in saprolite from the infiltrative surface to an unsuitable LC, unless any of the vertical separation consists of a suitable soil horizon, in which case, the 24-inch separation may be calculated based on one inch of suitable soil being equivalent to two inches of saprolite; and

(2)           the following physical properties and characteristics shall be present in the saprolite below the proposed infiltrative surface:

(A)          the saprolite texture as determined in the field by hand texturing samples of each horizon shall be sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, or silt loam;

(B)          the clay mineralogy shall be suitable in accordance with Rule .0503(3) of this Section;

(C)          greater than two-thirds of the saprolite by volume shall have a moist consistence of loose, very friable, friable, or firm;

(D)          the saprolite wet consistence shall be nonsticky or slightly sticky and nonplastic or slightly plastic;

(E)           the saprolite shall be in an undisturbed, naturally occurring state;

(F)           the saprolite shall have no open and continuous joints, quartz veins, or fractures relic of parent rock; and

(G)          laboratory determinations may be used to supplement field determinations. Split samples shall be made available to the LHD.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-335(e); S.L. 2015-147, s. 3;

Eff. January 1, 2024.