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Measures to be Implemented <br />The following measures will be implemented beginning in fall 1986 <br />reclamation season to enhance shrub establishment and densities. <br />Additional shrub seed will be applied with the reclamation seed mixes <br />in an attempt to further offset mortality losses of shrub seedlings or <br />overcome inherently low germination characteristics of many of the <br />shrub species. For 1986, 240 PLS lbs of chokecherry (Prunus <br />virginiana), 28 PLS lbs of mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia <br />tridentata spp. vase ana), and 70 PLS lbs of rubber rabbitbrush <br />Chrysothamnus nauseosus have been added to the seed mix. This <br />procedure will be continued in all future seedings with the addition <br />of species or increases in quantity of seed made where necessary. <br />Species used will vary based on expected site conditions or desired <br />community to be established. In-house monitoring of these areas will <br />be carried out in order to qualify the success of these areas and <br />degree of establishment and survival. Herbaceous competition has no <br />doubt affected shrub establishment and survival. It is proposed that <br />certain areas be exempted from seeding of the primary seed mix in <br />order to provide establishment sites for shrub seed and shrub <br />seedlings in order that herbaceous competition can be minimized. <br />These areas will be no larger than one (1) acre in size and will be <br />placed in reclaimed areas in a manner that will minimize erosional or <br />stability problems. Since a much larger area surrounding these plots <br />will be stabilized through mulching, cover cropping, or seeding, <br />erosion should not be a problem. An additional item of study will be <br />the amount and type of increased native plant establishment through <br />natural regeneration in these small plots. <br />In areas where compaction has been identified or there exists the <br />potential for compaction, ripping of the spoil prior to topsoil <br />replacement will be carried out. This measure will improve the <br />effective rooting depth and, hence, establishment and growth of the <br />shrubs. <br />Topsoiling methods and management of topsoil replacement will continue <br />to be improved. Included in this will be further refinements to <br />brushing techniques and the use of two-lift direct hauling of topsoil <br />whenever possible. Refinements to brushing techniques will include <br />intensified training and management of equipment operators during <br />brush removal, the possible experimental use of a brush blade if <br />availability problems are overcome, and study of other shrub removal <br />and topsoiling procedures for maximized natural regeneration used at <br />adjacent operations to the Seneca Mine. Maximizing two-lift direct <br />hauled topsoil will insure proper placement of available plant <br />propagules in the topsoil in such a manner that allows for the <br />greatest level of natural regeneration and plant establishment. Any <br />tillage in those areas of two-lift topsoil must be minimized to the <br />seeding operation in rcrder to minimize losses of establishing plants. <br />Tillage may be<used ir. areas where the replaced topsoil is excessively <br />• cloddy, but will be carried out before plants begin germinating or <br />regenerating. `~raini! g and management of the scraper operators will <br />be intensified ~o ins~~re that these operators are aware of the goals <br />29 Revised 8/27/86 <br />