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level at which a species may be used in a given year. Table 22-8, Shrub and Tree Planting Lists, lists <br />• the primary species and addition/substitute species to be used in planting areas. The species selected <br />represent those native species which have a better opportunity for establishment considering the more <br />xeric site conditions of the reclaimed areas. <br />Aspen has been retained on the list in an attempt to reestablish some aspen areas in appropriate sites, <br />if available. The native aspen stands in the mine area represent the limit of this species range and <br />occur only because of unique soil, substrate, and moisture regimes which are beneficial to aspen. <br />Mueggler 119881 and DeByle and Winokur 119851 have noted the relationship between the presence of <br />aspen and specific site conditions. Many or all of these site conditions are no longer present in <br />reclaimed sites aver spoil and thus the reestablishment of aspen on the mine site is difficult at best. <br />Aspen will be planted in select upland sites and will be included in the mesic drainage tree and shrub <br />sites. The upland aspen sites will receive normal topsoil replacement depths. Revised Exhibit 22-1, <br />Postmining Vegetation, shows the aspen upland sites and the mesic drainage sites. The two upland <br />aspen sites are located in surficial disturbance areas which should allow critical aspen substrate <br />characteristics to be maintained. In addition, aspen disturbance in the vicinity of these two sites will <br />be minimized to that necessary to complete topsoil stockpiling, access, and final grading. Since aspen <br />reestablish primary by suckering, adjacent undisturbed aspen clonal stands can increase the likelihood <br />• of aspen reinvasion in those areas of minimized surface disturbance. <br />As noted earlier under site preparation, planting areas will have competing vegetation eliminated or <br />reduced to the best extent possible. The planting areas (excepting the upland aspen sites) will receive <br />approximately 0.5 feet of topsoil and will be deep ripped to a depth of 1 .5 feet. The permanent seed <br />mix will not be seeded in these areas. Experience and observations of planted sites at the Seneca II <br />Mine indicate control of competing vegetation over the short term le.g., using mechanical tillage) may <br />only be partially beneficial since the suppressed herbaceous vegetation redevelops faster than the <br />seedlings can become adequately established to compete with herbaceous vegetation. The use of pre- <br />emergent herbicides or other herbicides to aid in longer term suppression of competing vegetation will <br />be a necessary component of this program. Herbicides are discussed under weed control. <br />• <br />21 Revised 2/99 <br />