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III IIIIIIIIIIIII III ~ DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS 222 So ulh Sixth Svee~. P.O Bax 2i 07 Grand J~nc~~o n, Colorado fii502-2707 1303) 248-7208 DATE: September 17, 1985 TO. R. G. Lucas FROM: Jim Lance~~~ • - ~' UC ~-_ MEMORANDUM H IOL~~bFI SEP 2 31985 MINED LAND RECLAMATION DIVISION SUBJECT: Comments on BLM Burnt Shale Pit, File No. M-85-170 Under Exhibit E - Reclamation Plan Item 4 - Will any fertilizers or mulches be used? Please specify type and rate. The site lies in an area of marginally 15' aap, and with very litt]e organic matter. The benefit of fertilizer would be very marginal. Also, it is our feeling that fertilizer suppresses shrub establishment and the greatest percentage of naturally occuring plants are of the woody type, except in the disturbed areas. Mulch would not be used fora couple of reasons. There will be a very small disturbance from year to year and would, therefore, be reclaimed by hand. Hand placed mulch would not stay in place and at best, would be clumps here, pother there. If hay were used, it would feed the deer and if straw were used it would increase the invaders competition for moisture and space. Hydromulch in this climate is a waste of time and effort because it dries out and offers little if any protection to the seedlings. Item 5 - The soil stability is also a concern of mine. However, there is very little overburden or• fines to reclaim. With the coarseness of the soil particle sizes grasses would have a difficult time establishing. There was no evidence of western wheatgrass being on the pre-disturbed site and with only 15" aap, I would question the long term success of western wheatgrass. The green needlegrass; 1 quote from KNOW YOUR RANGE PLANTS, Folder 99 - f4ontana State University, July, 1976: "The seedlings are not robust and competition must be removed prior to seeding". On any of these sites in this part of the state, heavy invasion of weedy species exists when distur- bance occurs. Therefore, I do not feel green needlegrass would be able to compete effectively with all tyre invaders that will be present on the site. A common problem with both of these grasses is palatibility and proximity to the roadway. A narrow two lane with no shoulders, a heavy deer population, new tender grass and lots of high speed traffic with limited sight distances, all combine fora potential deadly combination. The reason for the low seeding rate is that the site will not support abundant vegetation and rate of 18 pure live seed s; sq. ft. is probably several times the amount of vegetation that will survive. c Pit file