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• The intent is not to establish an ecosystem with only the species seeded but to provide for a <br />relatively stable ecosystem capable of supporting the postmining land use. As natural <br />successional stages advance the ecosystem will mature by the continued growth of the shrub <br />component and dispersion and establishment from adjacent endemic ecotypes and species. <br />Over the long term the genetic material seeded may or may not persist but rather could be <br />replaced by that from the adjacent undisturbed lands. <br />b. Seeding is usually performed in the mid to late fall or winter once the ground has cooled <br />adequately to maintain dormancy of the seed for spring germination. Dormant fall seeding takes <br />advantage of the relatively moist spring. Spring seeding is also acceptable but somewhat less <br />desirable since moist conditions during this time of year could lead to soil compaction or delays <br />beyond the optimum planting time. If spring seeding is used it is recommended that the seed be <br />stored in a location that will provide cold stratification to avoid dormancy problems. <br />c. Fertilization can help or hinder desirable plant establishment. Adequate nutrients need to be <br />available for seedling establishment. One must keep in mind that nitrogen fertilization also <br />promotes competition from annual weeds. Therefore, fertilizers must be used sparingly when <br />competition from weedy species is an issue. It is recommended that nitrogen not be applied <br />initially and phosphate be applied only as needed when competition from weedy annuals is a <br />concern. Fertilizer may be broadcast as needed to assist in seedling establishment if signs of <br />• nutrient deficiencies occur and annual weeds do not appear to be a problem. <br />d. Variations in seed mixtures and rates may be necessary to obtain the diversity standards. To <br />establish shrubs aggressive grasses may have to be reduced or eliminated over narrow strips in <br />the reclaimed area. The reduced competition would enhance the shrubs' chances of <br />establishment. This approach can be achieved by varying the seed mixture initially or by <br />eliminating strips of grass chemically or mechanically and interseeding with the desired species. <br />For example, when drill seeding, two to three drill rows may be isolated to seed only the shrub <br />or forb species; excluding the grasses. <br />e. Some species such as big sagebrush prefer a hard seed bed as opposed to the majority of the <br />mixture which does best in a loose to moderately firm seed bed. Reducing or eliminating tillage <br />followed by a light broadcast of the desired seed in localized areas would enhance <br />establishment of these species. <br />f. Reverse sequence replacement of topsoil would remove the properties conducive to cheatgrass <br />found in the topsoil. Subsoil stockpiles at the refuse areas produce appreciable perennial <br />growth with little or no competition from cheatgrass. Topsoil stockpiles from this area are <br />frequently dominated by cheatgrass. <br />g. Limited use of selective herbicides can provide a useful tool in vegetation establishment. <br />• Broadleaf selective herbicides such as 2,4 -D provide control of annual weeds such as Russian <br />TR65 (6/2007) V -31 <br />