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Revepetation <br />The following sections detail seedbed preparation, seed mixes, plant lists, and seeding and <br />planting methods. Measures to enhance natural regeneration of native species or establish <br />native species from seed and seedlings, have been emphasized. Implementation of these <br />revegetation plan components, in association with other reclamation procedures such as <br />backfilling and grading and topsoil management, will ensure a rapid return of surface stability, <br />accelerate natural succession and plant community development, and achieve postmine land <br />use goals. <br />Seedbed Preparation Seedbed preparation measures will generally not be practiced on <br />reclaimed areas. Direct hauling of topsoil is the preferred method of topsoil replacement. In <br />addition, invading native species will be present on reclaimed areas topsoiled from stockpiles. <br />Seedbed preparation such as disking on the contour will destroy germinating or established <br />desireable native plant species in these topsoiled areas. Rangeland drills are used for seeding <br />operations and this type of equipment is able to handle the rough field conditions left by the <br />scraper fleet replacing topsoil. This offsets the need for seedbed preparation. <br />In the future all backfilled spoils will be graded to create irregular topographic undulations. In <br />addition, on reclaimed areas where over-all slope is greater than 25%, replaced soils on slopes <br />steeper than 25°,(, will be pockmarked with dozer dips or track-hoe humps. Steeper slopes will <br />be drill seeded or broadcast seeded as conditions indicate. <br />Seedbed preparation by tillage will be considered in the following situations. In areas where <br />excessive surface compaction has occurred during topsoil replacement, or in compacted non- <br />topsoiled temporary reclamation, offset disking on the contour will be used. In addition, areas <br />with excessive weeds or undesirable vegetation growth may be controlled by mechanical tillage <br />using offset disking on the contour. In shrub establishment areas, competing herbaceous <br />vegetation may be controlled or eliminated by contour disking operations prior to shrub seeding <br />or planting. <br />Controlling weeds or other competing vegetation in areas to be seeded or planted may <br />also be carried out through the use of chemical herbicides. <br />PR03 <br />12 <br />Revised 4/03 <br />