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Revegetation • <br />The following sections detail seedbed preparation, seed mixes, plant lists, and seeding <br />and planting methods. Measures to enhance natural regeneration of native species or <br />establish native species from seed end seedlings, have been emphasized. Implementation of <br />these revegetation plan components, in association with other reclamation procedures such <br />as backfilling and grading and topsoil management, will ensure a rapid return of surface <br />stability, accelerate natural succession and plant community development, and achieve <br />postmine Land use goals. <br />Seedbed and Site Preparation. Seedbed preparation measures will generally not be <br />practiced on reclaimed areas. Direct hauling of topsoil is the preferred method of <br />topsoil replacement. In addition, native plant propagules may be present on reclaimed <br />areas topsoiled from stockpiles. Seedbed preparation such as disking on the contour may <br />reduce germination or establishment of desirable native plant species in these topsoiled <br />areas. Rangeland drills ere used for seeding operations and this type of equipment is <br />able to handle the rough field conditions left by the scraper fleet replacing topsoil. <br /> ff • <br />Seedbed preparation by tillage will be considered in the following situations. O <br />set <br />disking on the contour will be used in areas where excessive surface compaction has <br />occurred during topsoil replacement, where surface roughness is too severe or soils are <br />too cloddy to complete seeding operations, or in compacted non-topsoiled temporary <br />reclamation. In addition, areas with excessive weeds or undesirable vegetation growth may <br />be controlled by mechanical tillage using offset disking on the contour. In shrub <br />establishment areas, competing herbaceous vegetation may be controlled or eliminated by <br />contour disking operations prior to shrub seeding or planting. The shrub establishment <br />areas will be identified in the field and tillage will be conducted a sufficient number of <br />times during the growing season to control vegetation. <br />Controlling weeds or other competing vegetation in seeding or shrub planting areas may <br />also be carried out through the use of chemical herbicides. Large scale use of herbicides <br />is not intended; however, they have a high level of utility when controlling problem <br />perennial weeds in permanent revegeiation areas requiring ~.r eseeding, or uh ere <br />elimination of competing vegetation in a shrub establishment area is critical. Any <br />herbicides used will be based on recommendations in the most current Colorado Weed Control • <br />Guide issued by the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service. Prior to the <br />8 <br />