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-; ®~~;. Umled States <br />.~. r Department of <br />~~ ~~j Agriculture <br />SOiI <br />Conservation <br />Service <br />N. Colorado <br />~ison, CO 81230 <br />per the seeding recommendation mentioned afterward. Please refer <br />to Colorado Standard and Specification No. 544-"Land Reconstruction, <br />Currently Mined Land" (attached)- for additional guidelines and <br />recommendations regarding proper topsoiling techniques. <br />2) On the attached form CO-ECS-2, I have provided estimated plant <br />composition percentages and current production of the existing <br />vegetation, based on our on-site inventory of these factors yester- <br />day. This form provides an indication to the MLRB of the site's <br />current vegetation condition and composition and also an indication <br />of reclamation/revegetati on potential. As noted, the site's ecolo- <br />gical condition is poor, relative to rangeland productivity and com- <br />position at present. Estimated sagebrush canopy cover is approx- <br />imately 48 %, based upon inventory data from the attached "Shrub <br />Inventory Worksheet". <br />3) Seedbed preparation, since most (if not all) of the sites to be <br />seeded are roadbeds, other travelled and compacted areas, fill <br />material back slopes, open cuts, etc., should include several <br />factors: <br />a.) If the area is highly compacted from machinery traffic, the <br />area should be ripped of deep-chiseled down to a depth of at least <br />1 foot, and more preferably 2-3 feet. This will break-up "hardpan" <br />layers and permit greater water infiltration and root penetration <br />to deeper soil layers. <br />b.) After such renovation, the area should be disked and perhaps <br />mildly rolled or dragged to provide asmaoth and relatively firm s? <br />seedbed. <br />0 <br />c.) The seedbed should be as rock and weed free as possibl e <br />possible, especially on areas which have been denuded orseroded <br />down to subsoil layers or exposed rock, topsoi ling shon~d definitely <br />be considered, preferably to at least a depth of,~6 inches. This <br />would greatly enhance the probability of seedling establishment, <br />vigor and success. However, natural topsoil depth in the area is <br />already minimal; if an outside source of suitable topsoil (i.e. rock <br />and weedfree, firable, good organic matter content, etc.) is not <br />available or feasible, this alternative may not be possible. <br />d) Small amounts of fertilizer (as outlines on the CO-ECS-5) could <br />also be added and incorporated into the soil at this time, or more <br />preferably in the spring and summer immediately following seeding. <br />Fertilizer application will also greatly improve probability of <br />seedling success and good stand establishment. <br />r <br />`kv <br />bM <br />J~ <br />O The Soil Conservation Service -2- <br />V is an aBa ncy of the <br />Department of Agncullure <br />