2022-12-16_PERMIT FILE - M2021067

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2) ALTERNATE METHOD- PLANTING WINDOW FOR COVER CROP AND NATIVE SEED- If the cover crop seed planting window is May—July;ASCI will plant a sterile sorghum cover crop,then mow to kill the cover crop before viable sorghum seed formation is achieved later in the season.Then in December—May:the native seed mix will be planted into the sorghum cover mulch.This planting sequence will not require the native grass hay mulch. a) PLANTING A COVER CROP FOLLOWED BY NATIVE SEED PLANTING-A sterile sorghum cover crop will be planted prior to seeding of natives grasses.The cover crop residue will supply protection that will guard the soil against wind and water erosion.Seed formation by these cover crops can be limited or controlled using sterile hybrids and by planting late so that sorghums are not able to mature and form seed.The sorghum will be allowed to grow,then killed by mowing prior to planting the native grass seed.The sorghum cover crop mulch will not readily decompose.This area needs a persistent mulch due to the semi-arid, low humidity,and windy environment. Mulch supplies shading which slows the drying of the soil surface.Surface soil moisture and maintenance of mulch or a cover crop residue, is essential to native grass establishment. 3) ASCI will avoid cover crops which leave residues that maybe allopathic(naturally occurring chemicals that inhibit germination of the native grass seedlings)such as wheat stubble or wheat straw mulch.Wheat straw will not be used to cover the native grass crop. WEEDS— 1) Periodic weed inspections will monitor for weed infestations until the reclamation bond is released. ASCI will implement cultural, mechanical, and biological control methods including an aggressive mowing program to prevent the growth and establishment of weeds. 2) After the topsoil is replaced,which has a significant seed load,we will watch for the emergence of noxious weeds and treat accordingly. a) Once the topsoil is placed and graded,tillage will be kept to a minimum. b) By taking this extra time to evaluate the weeds on the property,ASCI will increase the of success of establishment of the native grass/forb establishment. Reducing the population of weed seeds prior to planting the reclamation crop is important to successful establishment of the reclamation crop. 3) The primary method of weed control will be mowing. a) Mowing is the best method of weed control in native grass plantings.Weeds commonly achieve plant height well above that of native grasses in the first season of growth. Mowing improves the competitive advantage of native grasses.The site will be inspected to decide the best mowing height that will remove as significant foliage from weeds and keep damage to the native grasses leaf area to a minimum. b) Mow whenever considerable damage can be dealt to the weed population. c) Mowing large weeds can cover small native seedlings with substantial amounts of residue. Removal of a thick weed canopy can occasionally cause native seedlings to be "shocked" by sudden exposure to full sunlight. d) Frequent mowing is the best means of reduce excessive mowing residue and sunlight shock from removing the weed cover. e) Mowing improves native grass seedlings'ability to compete with weeds. f) Mowing for weed control will be relied on throughout the establishment period. 4) When cover crops are proven prior to native seeding, it may be beneficial to control weeds in the cover crop. Herbicides will be chosen that will not carryover in the soil to cause problems for new native grasses. Native grass species can be sensitive to herbicides prior to becoming fully established and it is our intention to avoid herbicides the first year. 5) Weed management strategies will be implemented from the outset to achieve final reclamation.