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Revegetation • <br />The following sections detail seedbed preparation, seed mixes, plant lists, and seeding <br />and planting methods. Measures to enhance natural regeneration of native species or <br />establish native species from seed and seedlings, have been emphasized. Implementation of <br />these revegetation plan components, in association with other reclamation procedures such <br />as bac kfill ing and grading and topsoil management, will ensure a rapid return of surface <br />stability, accelerate natural succession and plant community development, and achieve <br />postmine land 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 <br />replacement. In addition, invading native species will be present on reclaimed areas <br />topsoiled from stockpiles. Seedbed preparation such as disking on the contour will <br />destroy germinating or established desires ble native plant species in these topsoiled <br />areas. Rangeland drills are used for seeding operations and this type of equipment is <br />able to handle the rough field conditions left by the scraper fleet replacing topsoil. <br />This offsets the need for seedbed preparation. . <br />Seedbed preparation by tillage will be considered in the following situations. In areas <br />where excessive surface compaction has occurred during topsoil replacement, or in <br />compacted non-topsoiled temporary reclamation, offset disking on the contour will be used. <br />In addition, areas with excessive weeds or undesireable vegetation growth may be <br />controlled by mechanical tillage using offset disking on the contour. In shrub <br />establishment areas, competing herbaceous vegetation may be controlled or eliminated by <br />contour disking operations prior to shrub seeding or planting. <br />Controlling weeds or other competing vegetation in areas to be seeded or planted may also <br />be carried out through the use of chemical herbicides. Large scale use of herbicides is <br />not being promoted; however, they have a high level of utility when controlling problem <br />perennial weeds in permanent revegetation areas requiring reseeding, or where surface <br />stability in a shrub establishment area is critical. Any herbicides used will be based on <br />recommendations in the most current Colorado Reed Control Guide issued by the Colorado <br />State University Cooperative Extension Service. Prior to the application of any <br />herbicide, approval of their use rvill be requested from LMLRD. The herbicides will be • <br />registered for the use intended and will be applied by certified applicators with strict <br />12 <br />