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APPENDIX 13-4 <br />ALFALFA MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL PLAN <br />The following plan details the actions which have been and will be taken in order to <br />manage alfalfa (Medicago species) in reclaimed areas at the Seneca II Mine. <br />Revegetation Activities <br />Several adjustments were made in revegetation methods during the 1985 and 1986 reclamation <br />seasons which will aid in the long term management and control of alfalfa in reel aimed <br />stands at Seneca. In 1985, this included the splitting of the primary seed mix into a <br />small and large seed component. The small seed component (including alfalfa) was then <br />placed in the legume box (small seed box) of the modified Horizon grass drill used in <br />seeding activities at the Seneca II Mine. Placement of these smaller seeds in the legume <br />box (or small seed box) insured better distribution and placement of these smaller seeds <br />over the entire area being seeded than if included in the main seed box with the larger <br />• seeded species. Additionally, the alfalfa seeding rate was reduced to 0.50 PLS lb per <br />acre to aid in reducing the overall alfalfa density. In 1986, the above methods were <br />further refined by adjusting the alfalfa seeding rate to 0.25 PLS lb per acre and changing <br />the species from the common hayland alfalfa (Medicago sativa type) to the rangeland or <br />prostrate alfalfa (Medicago falcate type). The alfalfa seed was again included in the <br />small seed component of the mix and was seeded from the small seed box as described above. <br />The rangeland or prostrate type of alfalfa was selected because of its shorter active <br />growing season, less bushy growth form, potential for a higltlr hard seed content (seed <br />germination will occur over a longer period) and the tendency for Medicago sativa and <br />Medicago falcate crosses to result in sterile hybrids. <br />Observation in 1986 of areas seeded in 1985 with the seed mix at 0.50 PLS lb per acre of <br />alfalfa are encouraging, The density and distribution of the plants in these revegetated <br />stands appears to be consistent with the goal of alfalfa occurring in the revegetated <br /> stand as a valuable limited addition to the forb component. Areas that have been <br /> revegetated with the reduced rate of alfalfa and the M, falcate types will be evaluated <br /> during Peabody's revegetation monitoring activities to ensure that the desired density of <br />. alfalfa is being achieved. Unless monitoring results dictate adjustments, the <br /> above-described changes in seeding methods, rates and alfalfa type will ba continued. <br />13-4-1 <br />