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Wes/ E!k Mine <br />quickly. In some cases, a temporary, fast-growing cover crop, such as a sterile annual ryegrass, or <br />• other similar nurse crop, may be used to prevent erosion either on disturbed slopes (areas removed <br />of topsoil), topsoil piles or on reclaimed areas. The nurse crop will utilize a sterile grain which is <br />seeded at the same time (or prior to) the desired seed mix. The nurse crop, being an annual cereal <br />grain germinates rapidly, providing cover and shade for the developing seed mix, while protecting <br />the slopes from erosion and sediment loss. It will then die back, allowing the desired seed mix to <br />proliferate. <br />In addition to a nurse crop, MCC may utilize a temporary stabilization seed mix (Table 39) which <br />is a combination of native and introduced species with the primary purpose of providing a good <br />vegetative cover quickly to control erosion and sediment. The grasses and forbs in Table 39 have <br />been specifically chosen to control erosion, as they aze fast growing, have a large root and shoot <br />mass and aze cool season, which tend to be more successful at the elevation and location of the <br />West Elk Mine. MCC will utilize this seed mix only on disturbed areas (areas removed of topsoil) <br />during the operation oC the mine. An area where the nurse crop and stabilization seed mix was <br />utilized is the cut and fill slope of the Materials Storage Bench. For reclaimed areas and topsoil <br />piles, MCC will continue to use the permanent seed mix in Table 37. <br />Seeding of grasses and forbs as well as planting of shrub seedings occur during the spring (March <br />15 through June 15) or fall (September 15 through November 15) of each yeaz as disturbed areas <br />become available for topsoiling and subsequent seedbed preparation. Planting and seedbed <br />preparation occur only when soils are not frozen or extremely wet or dry. Air temperatures should <br />• be above freezing during the night. Soil should be friable and not wet or cloddy. <br />Shrub seedlings are planted immediately following planting of the appropriate seed mix or, if <br />weather conditions change, at the next time that the above planting conditions exist. <br />The number of shrub seedlings replaced per acre is considerably less than the density of shrubs now <br />on the affected and reference areas. Since the intent is to reestablish a rangeland wildlife land use <br />that is equal to or better than the existing condition, it is reasonable to replace fewer shrubs so as to <br />optimize the grass forage production for livestock against the shrub cover needs of wildlife. Also, <br />since the shrubs to be replaced have a tendency to reproduce by root sprouting, the number of stems <br />per acre should increase during the bond release period. Seeds and seedlings listed in Table 37 and <br />Table 38 are normally available from commercial firms. A temporary revegetation seeding mix <br />found in Table 39 is used on areas scheduled for re-disturbancewithin five years. The seedling rates <br />or seeding mixtures may be vazied with regulatory authority approval in the future as better <br />inforrrtation is gathered, both from the on-site experience and from other sources. These seed <br />mixtures aze normally available from commercial firms. A temporary revegetation seeding mix <br />found in Table 39 is used on areas scheduled for re-disturbance within five years. <br />Methods of P[antinp <br />After the seedbed has been prepared, it is planted with appropriate seeding mixtures. The grasses <br />and forbs aze seeded primarily by drill seeding. Broadcasting of seed is utilized on small areas with <br />• hydroseeding used on areas with slopes steeper than 3:1. In general, these small areas aze less than <br />2 acres in size. The shrubs are planted in conjunction with the seeding operations or at a later time <br />?.O5-57 Revised h'av. /996 PROi, Revised Jan /997 TR79: Revised Srp. 1997.NR?77 <br />