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Competition from annual weed, primarily Cheatgrass, needs to be addressed. This appears to <br />be the main limiting factor for establishing successful vegetation at the Refuse Area. Several <br />other topsoil stockpiles indicate that other areas may be susceptible to Cheatgrass invasions as <br />well. While no clear answer is currently available to address this issue several approaches are <br />worth trying. These include: <br />1. Chemical weed control. In the case of Cheatgrass, Oust may provide the needed <br />control to limit annual grass competition in [he first several yeazs of seedling <br />establishment. For best results the soil stockpile should be treated to eliminate the <br />potential seed source. This should allow sufficient time for the seedlings to establish <br />before the weeds can repopulate themselves and the new site. Once the seedlings have <br />become established they are less susceptible to damage from an additional application <br />of Oust if needed. / ~ / / <br />P -L/~ ~J~ (~ ~ ~ 10 fir/ 6N 4K 4 f S4.-SJe. ~ ~~'ryr K~f...c /) ir, <br />Z.E S~-, r T- <br />2. Using subsoil as the primary growth media. Observations of the soil stockpiles at the <br />Refuse azea indicate that subsoil is abetter-suited growth media than the topsoil. <br />~. Ua~~ While this bodes against traditional thinking it would be hard to azgue differently <br />r <br />5~G(c~+,(C~ based on the vegetative response to the two materials. The topsoil could still be used <br />u t f J7G~r <br />~ ~~ e as a cover material for the refuse but would not be placed on the surface. <br />~/ ~/ ~ ,~/ <br />~ ~~ ~• The a lication rate for straw mulch should be decreased to 1 ton er acre when a lied. <br />S,~Sss~ PP P Pp <br />Observations of RP-1 show little or no erosional problems when using this lower rate. The <br />currently permitted rate of 2 tons per acre would provide little additional benefit and could <br />cause additional problems from volunteer cereal crops. <br />