2014-07-28_PERMIT FILE - P2014014 (2)

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Generally, applying fertilizer with precipitation of less than 12 inches per year yields very poor results. Furthermore, applying nitrogen fertilizer with inadequate spring moisture may have a depressing effect on grasses. If deemed necessary in the project area, an application of 800 pounds per acre of 5-10-5 fertilizer is expected to produce positive results. This fertilizer rate is typically used for cultivation of dry land wheat. Fertilizer is only used when deemed necessary and only after the third growing season. Item No.7.A. Provide plant name and seeding rate Seed mix application rates, seed types, and seeding techniques are based on BLM White River Field Office Surface Reclamation Protocol (BLM, 2011) and reclamation experience in the area. Local environmental conditions of soils, slopes, elevation, and precipitation have also been considered. The best management practices to be employed during reclamation will include surface roughening, seeding, and erosion control blankets. The proposed seed mixes for reclamation activities are shown in Table 1 and Table 2. The use of native,weed-free seed mixes will result in a rapidly established, diverse, and effective vegetative cover capable of self-regeneration. The seed mix presented in (Table 1) will be used for both interim and final reclamation. The composition of Phase 1 interim reclamation seed mix may be different from those used during Phase 2 interim and final reclamation. Because of the short-term nature of Phase 1 interim reclamation, the BLM does not generally require the use of forb seed; therefore, only grass seed will be used in Phase 1. Areas that require short-term or interim vegetative stabilization will be seeded with the appropriate seed mix as soon as possible following disturbance (spring or fall, September 1—March 15). This will enhance viability of topsoil berms and shallow stockpiles. It will also increase the stabilization of the disturbed area and reduce potential erosion problems. The White River Field Office Surface Reclamation Protocol recommends seeding bluebunch wheatgrass on rolling loam and pinyon juniper sites, both of which are characteristic of the NSHI RD&D Lease area. However, reclamation experience in this area has proven bluebunch wheatgrass is not very common and can be hard to establish. Therefore, thickspike wheatgrass has been substituted for bluebunch wheatgrass. Additionally, needle and thread seed can be difficult to obtain; therefore, green needlegrass (a species doing very well on nearby reclaimed well pads) may be substituted for it. The availability of seed will determine the ultimate seed mixture and variety of seed used. Daub&Associates, Inc. Page 15 of 17 NSHI RD&D DRMS NO1 2014