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C~ • Soil structure has also been affected, with plow pans developing at approximately 12 inches. The required plant growth nutrients have slowly been depleted from the soil because of little or no fertilization. To complicate matters further, Canadian thistle (Circium arvense), a designated noxious weed, has been increasing because of lack of control and excessive tillage. Given existing site limitations and overall reclamation objectives SCC will implement the following reclamation measures on areas which have been backfilled, regraded, and have had topsoil replaced. A conservation cropping program will be implemented to provide effective soil cover, control wind and water erosion, increase soil nutrient and organic levels and soil structure, and minimize the potential for further weed infestations. During the first few years a combination of grasses and legumes will be established to protect and rebuild the soil, followed by small grain cropping as soil conditions allow. The species proposed are big bluegrass Poa am la) and alfalfa (Medicago sative). Big bluegrass was chosen for several reasons, including the ability to produce significant biomass both above and below ground, it is native and occurs in the general area, it is well adapted to the climatic conditions at the proposed site, it will not cause severe volunteering problems after plow down, and it provides habitat for wildlife. Alfalfa is a valuable forb for replenishing nitrogen in the soil, produces an abundance of above ground and below ground biomass, improves soil structure to depths deeper than other grasses or fortis, provides valuable wildlife habitat and has proven itself in reclamation on mines in the area. The following species mix is proposed for reclamation seedings on disturbed areas: Drilled P.L.S. Pounds/Acre Big bluegrass (Poa ample) 6 Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) 4 TOTAL: 10 P.L.S. pounds/acre • E3 Revised May 1998