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Elk Mine <br />preventing erosion and protecting topsoil since some may grow faster and produce cover more <br />quickly. In some cases, a temporary, fast-growing cover crop, such as a sterile annual ryegrass, or <br />other similar nurse crop, may be used to prevent erosion either on disturbed slopes (areas removed <br />of topsoil), topsoil piles or on reclaimed areas. The nurse crop will utilize a sterile grain which is <br />seeded at the same time (or prior to) the desired seed mix. The nurse crop, being an annual cereal <br />grain germinates rapidly, providing cover and shade for the developing seed mix, while protecting <br />the slopes from erosion and sediment loss. It will then die back, allowing the desired seed mix to <br />proliferate. <br />In addition to a nurse crop, MCC may utilize a temporary stabilization seed mix (Table 39) which is <br />a combination of native and introduced species with the primary purpose of providing a good <br />vegetative cover quickly to control erosion and sediment. The grasses and forbs in Table 39 have <br />been specifically chosen to control erosion, as they are fast growing, have a large root and shoot <br />mass and are cool season, which tend to be more successful at the elevation and location of the <br />West Elk Mine. MCC will utilize this seed mix only on disturbed areas (areas removed of topsoil) <br />during the operation of the mine. An area where the nurse crop and stabilization seed mix was <br />utilized is the cut and fill slope of the Materials Storage Bench. For reclaimed areas and topsoil <br />piles, MCC will continue to use the permanent seed mix in Table 37. <br />Seeding of grasses and forbs as well as planting of shrub seedings occur during the spring (March <br />15 through June 15) or fall (September 15 through November 15) of each year as disturbed areas <br />become available for topsoiling and subsequent seedbed preparation. Planting and seedbed <br />preparation occur only when soils are not frozen or extremely wet or dry. Air temperatures should <br />be above freezing during the night. Soil should be friable and not wet or cloddy. <br />Shrub seedlings are planted immediately following planting of the appropriate seed mix or, if <br />weather conditions change, at the next time that the above planting conditions exist. <br />The number of shrub seedlings replaced per acre is considerably less than the density of shrubs now <br />on the affected and reference areas. Since the intent is to reestablish a rangeland/,Aildlife land use <br />that is equal to or better than the existing condition, it is reasonable to replace fewer shrubs so as to <br />optimize the grass forage production for livestock against the shrub cover needs of wildlife. Also, <br />since the shrubs to be replaced have a tendency to reproduce by root sprouting, the number of stems <br />per acre should increase during the bond release period. Seeds and seedlings listed in Table 37 and <br />Table 38 are normally available from commercial firms. A temporary revegetation seeding mix <br />found in Table 39 is used on areas scheduled for re -disturbance within five years. The USFS seed <br />mixes are included in Table 39A titled "Seed Mixtures for Paonia Ranger District." The seedling <br />rates or seeding mixtures may be varied with regulatory authority approval in the future as better <br />information is gathered, both from the on-site experience and from other sources. These seed <br />mixtures are normally available from commercial firms. A temporary revegetation seeding mix <br />found in Table 39 is used on areas scheduled for re -disturbance within five years. <br />Methods ofPlantine <br />After the seedbed has been prepared, it is planted with appropriate seeding mixtures. The grasses <br />and forbs are seeded primarily by drill seeding. Broadcasting of seed is utilized on small areas with <br />2.05-58 Revised Nov. 1996 PR07; Rev. Jan. 1997 TR79; Rev. Sept. 1997 MR 227; Rev. April 2006 PRIO <br />