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2.05.4 Reclamation Plan • <br />C 8. The "Revegetation Monitoring Report" submitted as Appendix 13-2 <br />raised two problems on the reclaimed area: intrusion of Canadian <br />Thistle; and the over-abundance of alfalfa. The Canadian Thistle <br />issue is addressed under Point 6. Peabody Coal should address <br />what action will be implemented to manage the over-abundance of <br />alfalfa. <br />RESPONSE: <br />The overabundance of alfalfa at the Seneca Mine is due to a <br />combination of situations relating to past reclamation procedures and <br />inadequate management of the reclaimed stands. Many of the areas <br />identified in the "Revegetation Monitoring Report" were seeded with a <br />hay production variety of alfalfa at a drilled rate of 2 PLS lbs/acre. <br />Since many of these areas were broadcast see~ed, this rate was at <br />least doubled to 4 PLS lbs/acre or 20 seeds/ft This compounded the <br />problem since alfalfa establishment appears to be enhanced through <br />broadcast seeding. The 1984 alfalfa seeding rate was reduced to 1 PLS <br />lb/acre drilled and in 1985 this rate was further reduced to 0.5 PLS <br />lb/acre drilled. The varieties used were hay production varieties <br />such as Ladak, Ladak 65 or Vernal. The 1986 seed mix has further been <br />adjusted to reflect a seeding rate for alfalfa of 0.25 PLS Ib/acre, or <br />1.25 seeds/ft~. In addition, the species now specified is a prostrate <br />C form of alfalfa otherwise known as a rangeland or pasture-type • <br />alfalfa. The seed mixes are primarily applied by use of a <br />rangeland-type drill with only limited areas broadcast seeded. It is <br />felt that a rate of 0.25 PLS lb/acre will result in alfalfa densities <br />that are much lower and that the alfalfa at this level will function <br />as a desireable individual in the forb component and not as a dominant <br />in the stand. As discussed in Tab 13, alfalfa is a desireable and <br />beneficial species in terms of forage quality and soil fertility <br />benefits. Observations on site continue to show big game utilizing <br />the alfalfa on site year round whenever possible. Big game were found <br />to make heavy use of older reclaimed areas in January, 1986 after the <br />snow cover on south facing exposures melted off. <br />Thus, the low seeding rate and primary use of a drill seeder should <br />maintain the densities of alfalfa at a much lower level while still <br />providing benefits. As in the past, establishment and plant community <br />development will be monitored to insure that this goal is met. <br />Further adjustments will be made as necessary. <br />A twofold management plan will be implemented for the reclaimed areas <br />that have high densities of alfalfa. This plan will be oriented <br />towards (1) short-term goals of eradication or significant reduction <br />of the alfalfa populations, and (2) long term control and management <br />of the remain ng siz.nds. Eradication or significant reduction of the <br />alfalfa stands ove^ the short term can best be accomplished by <br />applying treatments that are aimed at large scale and fairly immediate • <br />l~_ die-off. The a tne-tments may include herbicides, tillage, or brush <br />beaters. Co=-ro1 aver the long run will center on treatments that <br />24 Revised 8/27/86 <br />