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RESPONSE: <br />• PCC continues to believe that alfalfa is a valuable species for ` <br />revegetation and is a desirable component of the reclaimed plant <br />community that will aid in achieving the postmine land use goals. PCC <br />agrees with the Division's concern of the overabundance of alfalfa in <br />the older reclaimed areas and the potential for long term problems. The <br />basic framework for an alfalfa management control plan was detailed in <br />responses to Comment 8 of the PAR. The reduction in the alfalfa seeding <br />rate to 0.25 PLS #/acre (1.3 seeds/ftz) and the use of Medicago falcata, <br />commonly referred to as prostrate, rangeland, or pasture type alfalfa, <br />are management measures being implemented at this time. PCC will submit <br />the detailed alfalfa management control plan by February 1, 1987. <br />The switch to Medicago falcata was made for the following reasons. This <br />species of alfalfa tends to be lower growing and spreading as opposed to <br />the Medicago sativa types which are larger and more bushy. It appears <br />that the large busily alfalfa plants in the reclamation are detrimental <br />• to tfie shade intolerant species (the majority of reclamation species and <br />regenerating native plants) and are overly competitive for space. The ~ <br />reduced seediny rate and the lower growing and slower spreading <br />characteristics of Medicago falcata will allow for more favorable <br />competitive conditions for the other reclamation species. The Medicago <br />falcata types are rated number one for dormancy and thus, have one of <br />the shorter active growing seasons of the alfalfas. As a point of <br />comparison, Medicago sativa varieties such as Vernal, Ladak 65, and <br />Ranger are rated as 4 or 5. These varieties are selected for areas <br />where three hay crops per season are possible and maximum production and <br />income is desired. The above-noted varieties with high dormancy ratings <br />have been used in past seeding efforts at Seneca and have developed a <br />competitive edge by having a very long active growing season. The <br />Spredor 2 variety of Medicago falcata has a shorter active growing <br />season and would equate to a variety that would only yield a single crop <br />of hay each season. This should allow other species to better compete <br />outside of the active growing season of this type of alfalfa. The <br />• Medicago falcata types have a high hard seed content and thus, total <br />germination niay not be as high as the Medicago sativa types or the <br />35 <br />