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1 <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br />planted. The seedlings in the lathe house are inoculated <br />several weeks before delivery to the minesite. <br />4. The hardened off seedlings are treated with Deer-away, a <br />browse repellant, and hand planted in the prepared micro- <br />sites during late September. The species planted as <br />tublings are Serviceberry, Chokecherry, Gambel oak, and <br />Aspen. <br />These techniques have evolved from years of monitoring and evaluation <br />of methods to improve shrub establishment. Attached is a table of the 1994 <br />survival data taken from 1993 seedling sites. The seedling survival is <br />outstanding, considering the dry conditions at Seneca in 1994. The direct hauled <br />topsoil and shrub clump areas show good establishment, (see photos). <br />This program can be applied to any native, woody plant re-establishment <br />program. Many surface coal mine operations in northwestern Colorado currently <br />follow Seneca's lead and use this method. Len Ballek , Bitteroot Native <br />Growers' nursery manager, has applied this technology of shrub and tree <br />planting throughout the West including Vail Valley Ski area, Vail, Colorado; Big <br />Sky Coal mine, Colstrip, Montana; and the Kayenta Mine in northern Arizona. <br />By reducing the competition from herbaceous plants; by utilizing the <br />genotypically adapted plant materials; and restoring viable microbial populations <br />and associations, woody plants will establish on reclaimed lands. The woody <br />plant program at Seneca II mine demonstrates how the process of woody plant <br />establishment has evolved and continues to improve. Please consider the <br />operators at Seneca for an award in the innovative reclamation technique <br />category for their continued commitment to improving shrub and tree survival on <br />reclaimed surface mined land. <br /> <br />