Laserfiche WebLink
' following the completion of the field tests that will be <br /> conducted on consolidated mill tailings. <br /> ' Application Rate <br /> Native Grass Species Pounds Per Acre <br /> ' Mountain Muhly 2 <br /> Slender Wheat-grass 8 <br /> Thurber Fescue 3 <br /> ' Introduced Grass Species <br /> Hard Fescue 4 <br /> ' Intermediate Wheat-grass 8 <br /> Orchardgrass 6 <br /> Red Fescue 2 <br /> ' Smooth Brome 5 <br /> Timothy 2 <br /> ' The time of the year when tailings deposition finally ceases <br /> will determine the season that these grass species are <br /> planted on the tailings retention structure. These grasses <br /> ' will be planted in either the late fall or early spring <br /> months; depending upon how much time is available for ground <br /> preparation following the cessation of milling operations. <br /> ' The optimum season for seeding the prepared mill tailings is <br /> in the late fall, so that seed germination will take place in <br /> the following spring. However, if the grass seeds are <br /> planted in the early spring, they will have ample time for <br /> ' growth prior to the ground freezing, and the grasses will <br /> benefit from several months of precipitation. <br /> ' A sprinkler irrigation system will be used to avoid <br /> dehydration of the two seedbeds during each of the grass seed <br /> germination periods. Some additional fertilizer will also be <br /> ' applied during the first two or three years following the <br /> revegetation of each part of the tailings retention <br /> structure. When these fertilizer treatments are discontinued <br /> after the vegetation has been effectively established, it is <br /> ' expected that the native grasses will successfully compete <br /> with the introduced grass species. Voluntary revegetation is <br /> also expected to occur as native seeds from adjacent forest <br /> ' areas germinate and grow in the improved soil of the <br /> reclaimed tailings impoundment area. <br /> ' In order to create a diverse plant community on the reclaimed <br /> tailings retention structure, the final phase of the <br /> revegetation plan will involve transplanting indigenous trees <br /> and shrubs onto the surface of the former tailings pond. <br /> ' This last part of the revegetation program will be started <br /> during the third year after the cessation of tailings <br /> deposition. Between 20 and 30 Ponderosa pine and Hngelmann <br /> ' spruce trees ranging from 2 to 4 feet in height will be <br />