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Chapter V <br /> Mid-Continent's experience in mining over three decades in the Coal Basin, with an <br /> extensive seeding program for well over a decade, has shown conclusively that late <br /> fall is the best time for planting, and allows the greatest probability of success. <br /> Planting during the spring and early summer subjects the new vegetation to <br /> conditions which, essentially, burn it up, as a result of the intensity of sunlight at high <br /> altitude, of long dry periods and warm temperatures. <br /> Planting during the late summer (August and September) has proven infeasible as <br /> well because the seeds tend to germinate when planted in late summer, then freeze <br /> due to the cold night temperatures of October. Vegetation begun in late summer is <br /> not likely to survive the winter. <br /> The ideal planting time is just before snowfall. Over the course of the winter, the <br /> seeds are domant, and have time to work down into the soil. When they begin to <br /> germinate, in the spring, the ground has the greatest moisture and the spring <br /> sunshine is less intense. <br /> Accordingly, planting for revegetation of disturbed areas will be done in the late fall, <br /> until snowfall makes it impracticable. <br /> b. Revegetation Schedule. <br /> .� As indicated, revegetation activities began in 1966 and will continue throughout the <br /> active mining years on disturbed areas that have been backfilled and graded, and <br /> which are not actively being used and will benefit from revegetation to stabilize <br /> embankments or temporarily retard erosion. <br /> Many disturbed areas have been seeded previously, or will be as part of the interim <br /> reclamation program. Examples include the old coal refuse pile near the <br /> preparation plant, an underground gas line, the outslopes of the Adit/Rock Tunnel fill <br /> area, overland conveyor right-of-way, and the first terrace of the Sutey refuse pile. <br /> Since revegetation is normally the final reclamation activity, the greater portion of <br /> revegetation of disturbed areas in Coal Basin will be accomplished in the fall of the <br /> first and second summer seasons following cessation of mining. <br /> SEEDING SCHEDULE <br /> First season <br /> Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 portal areas <br /> Second season <br /> Adit/rock tunnel, preparation plant area, <br /> Sutey site, roads,Carbondale train loadout. <br /> 36 <br />