Preservation of topsoil in highway construction

In the award of contracts for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, and repair, except for minor maintenance, of a highway, the state department of transportation shall require that when fill dirt, soil, or other materials are to be removed from an area acquired by title or easement, whether by agreement or condemnation, for use in the project, adequate provision shall be made for the salvage of topsoil from the area for use in the restoration of the specified critical areas of the project by replacement of salvaged topsoil, by fertilizing and mulching if necessary, or by other appropriate measures to provide vegetative cover to prevent erosion, including filling or covering the area with compost, except where a lake or subwater table conditions exist, where deep loess is present, or where outside ditch bottoms and backslopes are present in rock cut areas. This section shall not apply to borrow pits covered by section 314.12.