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West Elk Mine <br />hydroseeding used on areas with slopes steeper than 3:1. In general, these small areas are Iess than <br />2 acres in size. The shrubs are planted in conjunction with the seeding operations or at a later time <br />depending upon weather conditions, shrub/grass seedling competition, and related factors. <br />Shrub species (Table 38) are planted in clusters after the affected acreage has been seeded with the <br />permanent seed mixture, Shrub clusters complement the surrounding dense shrublands. Shrub <br />clusters will cover approximately 30 acres of the total 110 affected acres, including the Sylvester <br />Gulch Facilities Area. Each shrub cluster will be approximately 0.5 to 2 acres in size and will be <br />located some 50 and 500 ft. from adjacent clusters. The area between clusters will be seeded with <br />the permanent seed mixture. The approximate location of shrub clusters is shown on Map 58. <br />Clustered groupings of shrub seedlings are planted at a density of 900 stems/acre within each <br />cluster. This density converts to a 7 foot spacing between plants. The clustering will produce a <br />mosaic of shrub cover so that edge effect is maximized for wildlife needs and that open grasses <br />areas are available for livestock forage production. <br />To protect newly reclaimed surfaces against drying and frost heaving, planted areas will be mulched <br />with hay or straw following drill seeding and broadcasting seeding. Crimping or tracking will be <br />used to stabilize the hay or straw mulch. Straw mulch or an equivalent cover of hydromulch, wood <br />chips, jute netting, excelsior mat, etc. are applied to all such revegetated areas. Straw mulch is <br />applied at a rate of 1500 - 2500 lbs/acre. The greater amounts of mulch is used on steep or <br />otherwise potentially high erosion hazard areas. <br />. All revegetated areas are mulched immediately following seeding operations. Slopes less than 3:1 <br />are mulched using straw or wood chips or other similar materials. Slopes in excess of 3:1 are <br />hydromulched or covered with jute netting, excelsior blankets, or similar materials. <br />After seeding, revegetated areas are protected from livestock grazing until areas are judged capable <br />of withstanding grazing pressure based on the findings of monitoring activities discussed in the <br />Diversion and Collection Ditches and Impoundment Section. Livestock grazing will then be <br />undertaken only when operational conditions allow. Protection of revegetated areas are <br />accomplished by excluding livestock from such areas by using fences, discontinuing grazing on <br />adjacent areas or by other means. Such protection allows for seedling and stand establishment and <br />minimizes erosion. <br />Noxious Weed Control Plan <br />Noxious weed infestations may occur in disturbed or reclaimed areas of the West Elk Mine. It is <br />Mountain Coal Company's policy to treat these infestation to minimize the spread of listed noxious <br />weeds and potential for revegetation failure. In order to control noxious weeds, MCC has <br />developed a multi -faceted plan for survey, mapping, and eradication. <br />The first step in the weed control plan is the location of any noxious weed infestations. A visual <br />survey of the mine site is conducted during late spring or early summer each year. Approximate <br />locations of any noxious weed infestations are marked on a topographic map and kept on file at the <br />mine site. <br />2.05-59 Revised Nov. 1996 PR07; Rev. Jan. 1997 TR79; Rev. Sept. 1997 MR 227, -Rev. April 2006 PRIO <br />