2018-02-08_PERMIT FILE - C2010089 (2)

Home Browse Search

depending on the size of the management unit and the status of adjacent reclaimed areas, grazing may be implemented in the winter. 3.0 Dryland Pasture 3.1 General Information The Dryland Pasture reclamation areas will be established in areas which were dominated by Sagebrush or Dryland Pasture or marginally Irrigated Pasture/Cropland prior to mining (see Map 2.05.5-1). Irrigation will not be employed on dryland pasture. 3.2 Seeding Management Plan Seeding will be done either with a rangeland drill. This type of seeding equipment will provide the greatest level of success in terms of proper seed placement. Seeding depths will typically be about 1/4 inch deep, depending on the size of the seed planted. If it is determined that site conditions are not suitable for drill seeding, then the seeds may be planted using a broadcast seeder. If a broadcast seeder is utilized, it will typically be applied using a tractor mounted broadcast seeder that will hold several bushels of seed. The tractor will then traverse the field at the necessary interval to ensure there are no unseeded areas in the field. After these areas are broadcast seeded, a spring tooth harrow will be dragged over the seeded area to ensure that the seed is properly planted. In areas that are broadcast seeded, the typical drill seeded rate will be doubled. No mulching is planned for the Dryland Pasture areas; however, a cover crop may be seeded as a surface stabilization measure. NHN anticipates that volunteer willows and other hydrophytic species will become established in low lying swales, drainage channels adjacent to sediment ponds. Shrubs will also invade into the reclaimed areas associated with the Dryland Pasture areas over time, which is a normal plant successional pattern for improved pasture in western slope of Colorado. 3.3 Seed Mixtures Seed Mix #8 has been developed to provide a mix of species that are compatible with the adjacent Irrigated Pasture/Cropland type, has a high level of utility and will provide long term protection of the resource. The varieties included in Seed Mix #8 are preferred but do not constitute the only available adapted varieties. Seed availability problems associated with the above recommended varieties will require that the next best adapted variety or native/common types be used. The alternate selections will be made from regional sources. Section 2.05.4(2)(e) Page 6 of 14 January 2018 (PR -02)