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e. Some species such as Big sagebrush prefer a hard seed bed as opposed to the majority of the <br />mixture which does best in a loose to moderately firm seed bed. Reducing or eliminating tillage <br />followed by a light broadcast of the desired seed in localized areas would enhance <br />establishmentof these species. <br />f. Placing at least six (6) inches of subsoil on top of the topsoil would eliminate the seed bank of <br />weedy annual species. Such placement may also alter the surface texture making the site less <br />prone to invasions by cheatgrass. Subsoil stockpiles at the refuse areas produce appreciable <br />perennial growth with little or no competition from cheatgrass. Topsoil stockpiles from this area <br />are frequently dominated by cheatgrass. <br />g. Limited use of selective herbicides can provide a useful tool in vegetation establishment. <br />Broadleaf selective herbicides such as 2,4-d provide control of annual weeds such as Russian <br />thistle, tumble mustard, and halogeton on topsoil stockpiles and land laying fallow prior to fall <br />seeding. Light applications of Oust or other similar herbicides have proven effective at <br />controlling cheatgrass while showing no or very limited effects on other vegetation. Oust could <br />be used to reduce the cheatgrass seedbank in topsoil stockpiles or after the first year of <br />seedling establishmentas conditions warrant. Herbicides are only to be applied in an approved <br />manner specified on their label. <br />V.D.3 Phases and Timing The revegetation of disturbed areas is dependent on the completion of <br />activities for a given area. Table V-7 shows activities during and after mine construction and the <br />anticipated revegetation schedule for the same. Site specific plans are to be implemented as soon as <br />practicable following the completion of a given activity. Implementation is dependent upon the season <br />for most favorable revegetation operations. This usually corresponded with a dormant fall seeding. <br />Temporary erosion control measures, such as surface roughening, imprinting, placement of erosion <br />control netting (e.g., excelsior blanket), and sowing with nurse crops or stubble mulch are used prior to <br />seeding of steep slopes when loss of surface materials due to wind and water erosion could occur. <br />Leaving the site fallow has the advantage of accumulating moisturefor future seedling establishmentif <br />the site is to be sown the next fall. Disturbed areas revegetated during final reclamation are listed in <br />Table V-6. <br />Roadsides, cutbanks, areas adjoining operating support facilities and areas adjoining sediment ponds <br />were revegetated even though additional disturbance will occur on many of these sites during the life <br />of the mine operations. Revegetation of the waste disposal area will be conducted sequentially as the <br />disposal area is developed. See Table V-7. Topsoil stockpiles are recontoured and planted during the <br />fall following their construction. During construction, all planting operations, including seedbed <br />preparation, are detailed on standard forms and supervised by a qualified reclamation specialist (Table <br />V-8). <br />ExhibitE-Reclamation Plan Rio Blanco Special UsePermit#81-1 September2000 <br />V-13 <br />