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• P-2 As noted in the letter from the USDA Soil Conservation Service, Exhibit D-3, "These areas have not been stable since the first available aerial photos were taken". Twice the letter states, " If revegetation is required ", thus it is apparent that even the professional agronomists have doubts as to the success of any effort to establish grass in a hostile environment. Please see the attached photographs of the site. Our intent is to conduct every reasonable effort to stabilize an area that in its natural state remains unstable. The reclam- ation costs, however, must be consist ant with the value of the surrounding area in terms of the end use of the land. Thus, exotic practices using jute netting, excelsior mats, or somehow distributing chunks of manure at the rate of 20 tons per acre ( l~k/ sq.ft.) is in our opinion is unrealistic. __ We propose to grade the area in a manner that avoids steep banks and cuts that provide opportunities for blow-outs. Only the original ground surface will be lightly disced for seedbed prep- aration. This area will be on the mine floor itself. Maintenance of a firm seedbed is a must, therefore, seeding w'll b dnn during the early spring rain Qeriod. Seeding will be done in a two year period. The first year will be to establish a nurse crop using barley at the rate of 601bs./ac. The second year will be seeding grass into the stubble residue. All seeding will be done at right angles to the prevailing winds in the area. ~~. ~~. /~ J~~;h ,• f~~ ~,,,.~%r ~~ ~~ . Prior to seeding the nurse crop, fertilizer will be incorporated into the soil at the rate of 401bs of available nitrogen and 401bs of available phosphate per acre. A soils analysis will be conducted before actual fertilizing, thus actual rates may vary somewhat. The nurse crop will be seeded with a grain drill set as deep as possible to permit successful emergence of the plant. Grass will be seeded with a grass drill in a manner that will minimize disturbance of the stubble residue. No other operations across the fragile seedbed area are planned although circumstances may require use of a listor or similar tillage tool along the edges if surface blowing threatens the entire effort. The entire area will be protected from vehicle traffic and livestock. The proposed grass seed mixture is that discussed with the local SCS Soil Conservationist and provided as an example in his letter That is: ~; ~ sz% 3rd Side oats grama - 1.5 lbs PLS/ac. L~ ~" Sand dropseed - 0.1 ". ' y ~~ `a ~~ ~ '~ `'~ Yellow sweet clover 2.0 ". 7 //• %~"~ ?/ The following costs for grass seed and fertilizer were provided by the Rocky Mountain Seed Compan}> of Denver, Colorado in June 1983. i,,_.~.n..z/,~~ 3• (~ ~ ,7