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• efforts. Munshower's example used a seed mix of three grasses, each at four PLS per square <br />foot and three forbs, each at 2 PLS per squaze foot for a total of 18 PLS. He states the following: <br />"If we assume that half of the seed germinates and establishes, there remain nine plants <br />on each square foot of soil. There are neither adequate nutrients nor sufficient water to <br />support that number of rapidly growing plants. By the time of review for determination <br />of adequacy of reclamation there are probably only one or two plants surviving on this <br />foot of minesoil. Which plant will it be? Probably the one with the genetic constituents <br />that enable it to utilize the resources of the site rapidly before another plant can absorb <br />them and the plant lucky enough to find these nutrients and moisture. That is, the most <br />competitive and tolerant of the seeded species. We are selecting cultivazs for exactly <br />those reasons. We want the new plants to be rapid growing and tolerant of the cold and <br />drought of our prairies and mountains. They do this so well they absorb most of the <br />nutrients and moisture in the soil and leave little for most other plants of the system." <br />u <br />The above statement by Munshower is also supported by the most recent literature on seeding <br />rates and seed mix composition on grid and semi-arid disturbances. These researchers are <br />recommending low PLS per square foot and significantly reducing or eliminating introduced <br />cool season grasses to establish a diverse vegetative cover (Wood and Buchanan, 2001 and <br />Musslewhite et al., 2000). An excellent source of seeding techniques and PLS calculations is <br />contained in Handbook of Western Reclamation Techniques (University of Wyoming, 1996). <br />WATER HARVESTING & EROSION CONTROL MEASURES <br />A variety of water harvesting and conservation, and erosion control methods may be used to <br />harvest and conserve precipitation. Using such measures to facilitate the reclamation process is <br />important because Red Rock mine receives relatively low amounts of precipitation annually. <br />Harvesting and conserving water in reconstructed soils will serve to optimize the germination, <br />growth and establishment of vegetation communities. In addition to harvesting and conserving <br />precipitation on site, erosion control measures aze available that will reduce soil erosion <br />potential. Primary water harvesting, water conservation and erosion control methods and <br />practices include: contour furrowing, land imprinting, mulching (straw, native hay or hydro}, <br />cover cropping, and placement of erosion control blankets. <br />MULCHING & COVER CROPS <br />Various types of mulching or cover crops may be used to facilitate the establishment of <br />permanent vegetation communities. Traditional reclamation practices consider mulching a <br />mandatory step in the reclamation process. Mulch provides protection to the soil from incoming <br />rain droplets, the most significant source of soil detachment and sheet erosion. Mulch shades the <br />soil and provides seedlings some relief from direct sunlight. Mulch represents a source of <br />organic material that is important in nutrient storage and recycling. For these reasons, one of <br />several mulch types may be considered for use at the Red Rock mine to facilitate germination <br />• Appendix G 9 06/28/02 <br />