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RIENAU #2 MINE <br />Flat North of Sediment Ponds <br />Physical Characteristics <br />This area is across Highway 789 from the Rienau /t2 mine and is <br />north of the sediment collection ponds. This area was reseeded the <br />first week of April in 1979. Retopsoiling was conducted just prior <br />to reseeding. Abundant moisture that spring saturated the topsoil <br />stockpile. Snowstorms in May that year greatly enhanced germination <br />and early establishment of seedlings. <br />Implementation <br />Seedbed preparation consisted of disking (Photograph 11 with a <br />large tractor and disk provided by George Kristas. Diamnonium phos- <br />phate (18-46-0) was applied at the rate of 300 1bslacre and the fer- <br />tilizer was disked into the soil. The seed mix was broadcast with <br />cyclone seeders at the following rate: <br />S ecies <br />Western Wheatgrass <br />Slender Wheatgrass <br />Bluebunch Wheatgrass <br />Rate in lbs/acre <br />5 <br />6 <br />The seedbed was harrowed (Photograph 21 with an English or <br />meadow harrow to facilitate covering the seed, and the entire area <br />was mulched (Photograph 3) with excelsior mats. <br />Management <br />The entire area was fenced with a sheep-proof fence to <br />restrict grazing. Additional fertilizer (30-10-0) was applied at <br />the rate of 120 1bs/acre in the spring of 1980 and 1981. <br />Results <br />Cover is estimated at between 70 and 80% (see accompanying <br />Photograph 4 from August 1979, Photograph 5 from October 1980, and <br />Photograph 6 from June 19811. The principal species in this area is <br />slender wheatgrass with m ly small amounts of western and bluebunch <br />wheatgrass present. Success of the slender as compared to the other <br />wheatgrasses may be attributed to the mesic nature of the site, <br />specifically during seedling development. Conditions contributing <br />to this mesic moisture regime are the topsoil was saturated with <br />water when redistributed, there was good spring moisture in the form <br />of snow, the area was mulched, and the water table in this location <br />