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West Elk tiline • depending upon weather conditions,shrub/grass seedling competition,andrelatedfactors. Shrub species (Table 38) are planted in clusters after the affected acreage has been seeded with the permanent seed mixture. Shrub clusters complement the surrounding dense shrublands. Shrub clusters will cover approximately 30 acres of the total l 10 affected acres, including the Sylvester Gulch Facilities Area. Each shrub cluster will be approximately 0.5 to 2 acres in size and will be located some 50 and 500 ft. from adjacent clusters. The azea between clusters will be seeded with the permanent seed mixture. The approximate location of shrub clusters is shown on Map 58. Clustered groupings of shrub seedlings are planted at a density of 900 stems/acre within each cluster. This density converts to a 7 foot spacing between plants. The clustering will produce a mosaic of shrub cover so that edge effect is maximized for wildlife needs and that open grasses areas are available for livestock forage production. To protect newly reclaimed surfaces against drying and frost heaving, planted areas will be mulched with hay or straw following drill seeding and broadcasting seeding. Crimping or tracking wil I be used to stabilize the hay or straw mulch. Straw mulch or an equivalent cover of hydromulch, wood chips, jute netting, excelsior mat, etc. are applied to all such revegetated areas. Straw mulch is applied at a rate of 1500 - 2500 Ibs/acre. The greater amounts of mulch is used on steep or otherwise potentially high erosion hazard areas. All revegetated azeas are mulched immediately following seeding operations. Slopes less than 3:1 • are mulched using straw or wood chips or other similar materials. Slopes in excess of 3:1 are hydromulchedor covered with jute netting, excelsior blankets, or similar materials. Afrer seeding, revegetated areas are protected from livestock grazing until areas are judged capable of withstanding grazing pressure based on the findings of monitoring activities discussed in the Diversion and Collection Ditches and Impoundment Section. Livestock grazing will then be undertaken only when operational conditions allow. Protection of revegetated azeas are accomplished by excluding livestock from such areas by using fences, discontinuing grazing on adjacent areas or by other means. Such protection allows for seedling and stand establishment and minimizes erosion. Noxioas Weed Control Plan Noxious weed infestations may occur in disturbed or reclaimed areas of the West Elk Mine. It is Mountain Coal Company's policy to treat these infestation to minimize the spread of listed noxious weeds and potential for revegetation failure. In order to control noxious weeds, MCC has developed amulti-faceted plan for survey, mapping, and eradication. The first step in the weed control plan is the location of any noxious weed infestations. A visual survey of the mine site is conducted during late spring or early summer each year. Approximate locations of any noxious weed infestations are marked on a topographic map and kept on file at the mine site. • 2.05-58 Revised ~'av. 1996 PROi