2015-12-07_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M1974132

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Page 3 April 10, 2001 United Companies steeper than 3:1 and preferably flatter, where practical. The flatter the slopes, the greater the opportunity of re- establishing the site with adequate vegetative cover. Areas, which were compacted, must first be ripped. The topsoil, which was stockpiled, should be spread evenly over the pit area and side slopes to the extent possible to a depth of 6 inches or more. The site should then be tilled and firmed to prepare a suitable seedbed. Seeding of the site should be done in the late fall (October 1st or later) prior to the soil freezing. The seed should be drilled on the contour with a grass drill having double disk openers and packer wheels. Planting depth should be approximately 1/2 inch. If the seed will be broadcast instead of drilled, then the recommended seeding rate below must be doubled. If broadcasting is done, the seeded area should be harrowed or dragged to incorporate the seed into the soil after planting. The following grass species are recommended to reseed the site. This rate is based on pounds of pure live seed (PLS) per acre Specie Variety Pounds PLS/acre Western wheatgrass Arriba 3.2 Indian Ricegrass Nezpar 2.5 Streambank wheatgrass Siberian 2.2 Russian wildrye Vinal 2.0 Beardless wheatgrass Whitmar 2.4 Total Pounds PLS/Acre 12.3 Since this site will become isolated from surrounding native rangeland areas, either containerized sagebrush plants should be interplanted throughout the reclaimed site or include sagebrush seed in the seeding mixture to achieve a 20 percent woody canopy cover, in order to restore the site to the previous grass/shrub rangeland plant community type. The most critical and important treatment to achieve the establishment of an adequate stand of planted species on this site is proper and timely weed control. Invasion and establishment of weeds must be controlled. Moisture must be reserved for the new planting, in order for it to become established. Weed control should be performed early during the first growing season to adequately control weeds. More than one treatment may be needed. Herbicide labeling should be followed. Noxious weeds must be controlled. The site should be deferred from grazing a minimum of at least two full growing seasons to allow the planted vegetation to become adequately established on the reclaimed site.