2021-04-14_PERMIT FILE - C1996084 (8)

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Rule 2: Permits • This contour furrow treatment is designed to reduce overland flow of water and will be supplemented by other approved techniques, if the need arises. Contour furrows will be surveyed to assure a consistent grade along the contour. These furrows will be constructed using a chisel plow or ripper. Each furrow will be three to ten feet in length with breaks of two-to-five feet. Furrow spacing will be on a 12.5 to 25-foot interval with shorter intervals on steeper slopes. Since the furrows will be surveyed for consistent grade, the construction of inter-furrow dikes is not anticipated. If deemed necessary, however, dikes will be constructed out of natural materials. Alternative techniques include the use of barriers, check dams, erosion stops, matting, and roughened surfaces. These treatments can be implemented with various kinds of straw or hay bales, Wettings, and mattings to effectively reduce overland flow. If gullies deeper than 9-inches should form, the gullies will be blocked with one of the above-mentioned treatments and given the opportunity to stabilize naturally, through the growth of vegetation. Disk/Chisel Plowing/Ripping Prior to seeding, which will be initiated as soon as practical and within 90 days of final grading, topsoiled sites will be ripped or chisel-plowed in order to alleviate compaction and promote water infiltration. Chisel-plowing has been a highly effective means of temporary stabilization prior to vegetation establishment. Chisel-plowed topsoil at the Savage, Beulah, and Colstrip Surface Mines was only surpassed by the treatment of dozer basins in reducing overland water flow from • reclaimed mine sites. Seed Mixes Grassland The grassland community will be used to restore disturbed portions of pre-mine grassland and oak/pinyon pine conununities in the surface mine and haul road areas., The seed mixture includes cool and warm season sod-forming and bunchgrasses and forbs suitable for gentle to moderately steep slopes. Three species of shrubs are also included in the grassland seed mix for reclamation in the surface mine area. Table 2.05.4-2 shows the recommended seed mixture for this community. To establish a wildlife habitat component within the grassland community, LCC also proposes to establish shrub plantings within the surface mine area which will equal approximately ten percent of the disturbed land area. Two types of shrub planting sites will be constructed within each reclaimed land parcel: (1)direct transplant of shrubs on north and east-facing slopes; and (2)direct seeding of shrubs on north and east-facing slopes. Shrubs will be established on each of the successive reclaimed parcels using several alternative practices. Direct seeding (mechanical, hand • LorenciioPmt-PM'f(475)Dec2002.wpd 2.O5-O5 (1ZeVISed 12/20//02)