2024-05-03_PERMIT FILE - C1980007 (2)

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2.05-58 Rev. 11/96- PR07; 10/20 TR148 quickly. In some cases, a temporary, fast-growing cover crop, such as a sterile annual ryegrass, or other similar nurse crop, may be used to prevent erosion either on disturbed slopes (areas removed of topsoil), topsoil piles or on reclaimed areas. The nurse crop will utilize a sterile grain which is seeded at the same time (or prior to) the desired seed mix. The nurse crop, being an annual cereal grain germinates rapidly, providing cover and shade for the developing seed mix, while protecting the slopes from erosion and sediment loss. It will then die back, allowing the desired seed mix to proliferate. In addition to a nurse crop, MCC may utilize a temporary stabilization seed mix (Table 39) which is a combination of native and introduced species with the primary purpose of providing a good vegetative cover quickly to control erosion and sediment. The grasses and forbs in Table 39 have been specifically chosen to control erosion, as they are fast growing, have a large root and shoot mass and are cool season, which tend to be more successful at the elevation and location of the West Elk Mine. MCC will utilize this seed mix only on disturbed areas (areas removed of topsoil) during the operation of the mine. An area where the nurse crop and stabilization seed mix was utilized is the cut and fill slope of the Materials Storage Bench. For reclaimed areas and topsoil piles, MCC will continue to use the permanent seed mix in Table 37. Seeding of grasses and forbs as well as planting of shrub seedings occur during the spring (March 15 through June 15) or fall (September 15 through November 15) of each year as disturbed areas become available for topsoiling and subsequent seedbed preparation. Planting and seedbed preparation occur only when soils are not frozen or extremely wet or dry. Air temperatures should be above freezing during the night. Soil should be friable and not wet or cloddy. Shrub seedlings are planted immediately following planting of the appropriate seed mix or, if weather conditions change, at the next time that the above planting conditions exist. The number of shrub seedlings replaced per acre is considerably less than the density of shrubs now on the affected and reference areas. Since the intent is to reestablish a rangeland/wildlife land use that is equal to or better than the existing condition, it is reasonable to replace fewer shrubs so as to optimize the grass forage production for livestock against the shrub cover needs of wildlife. Also, since the shrubs to be replaced have a tendency to reproduce by root sprouting, the number of stems per acre should increase during the bond release period. Seeds and seedlings listed in Table 37 and Table 38 are normally available from commercial firms. A temporary revegetation seeding mix found in Table 39 is used on areas scheduled for re-disturbance within five years. The seedling rates or seeding mixtures may be varied with regulatory authority approval in the future as better information is gathered, both from the on-site experience and from other sources. These seed mixtures are normally available from commercial firms. A temporary revegetation seeding mix found in Table 39 is used on areas scheduled for re-disturbance within five years. Methods of Planting After the seedbed has been prepared, it is planted with appropriate seeding mixtures. The grasses and forbs are seeded primarily by drill seeding. Broadcasting of seed is utilized on small areas with hydroseeding used on areas with slopes steeper than 3:1. In general, these small areas are less than 2 acres in size. The shrubs are planted in conjunction with the seeding operations or at a later time