Laserfiche WebLink
attain a good level of productivity with only one to two grasses and a legume under continuing and <br />• adequate management inputs. This includes scheduled irrigation, annual fertilization based on <br />soils tests and plant needs, and grazing management or proper harvest methods. As stated earlier <br />in the discussion on revegetation of the irrigated pasture type, annual fertilization of irrigated <br />pastures is part of the normal husbandry applied to maintain vigor and productivity. The <br />requirements for establishment of woody plant densities, species diversity, and seasonal variety <br />are irrelevant to the irrigated pasture vegetation type and postmining land use. Therefore, the <br />standards of revegetation success for the irrigated pasture type will be based on production and <br />"live cover". <br />As can be seen in Table 2.05.4(2)(e)-4, all local farmers harvest their fields one time during the <br />year. There are a few farmers that attempt a second and third cutting but the majority of the <br />production comes from the 1st cutting. The success standard for WFC's irrigated pasture will be <br />based upon 1st cutting production only because we will then be following the local practices and <br />customs. WFC has personally contacted three of the,largerfarms (Mel Stoats, Frank Morgan and <br />Zene Weimer) that surround NH2 for their first cutting production figures in irrigated pasture fields <br />(See Attachment 2.05.4(2)(e)-A). They gladly gave us their estimates based upon a lifetime of <br />experience. All these men have approximately 40+ years apiece of farming experience in the <br />Nucla area and their knowledge of first cutting crop yield for irrigated pasture in the Nucla area is <br />priceless. To add to this, W FC has submitted the yields present to us by the farmers in Attachment <br />2.05.4(2)(e)-A to the local NRCS office for their review. The comments from NSCS can be seen <br />in Attachment 2.05.4(2)(e) as well. WFC will use the average 1st cutting yield from these three <br />farmers for our production standard. A 1st cutting production of 1.50 tons per acre will be the <br />target yield at New Horizon Mine. <br />Production yield (tons per acre) for Irrigated Pasture will be determined by a random sampling <br />method. This system will consist of: <br />1) Gridding the entire irrigated pasture reclaimed field(s) being considered for bond release <br />on a 50 foot by 50 foot pattern. The grid blocks will be sequentially numbered from the <br />upper northwest corner to the lower southeast of each field. Only whole blocks will be <br />numbered for the purpose of use in the random generator discussed below. If there are <br />separate fields, then the block numbers will be combined into one data base. <br />• (revised 1-15-03) 2.05.4(2)(e)-19 <br />