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from a locally occurring aster (tentatively identified as Aster glaucodes) was collected and <br />cleaned. <br />Seeding was accomplished as the crew worked down the slopes. The seed from the two <br />native. species as well as the commercially obtained seed was distributed on the slope by <br />hand broadcast methods. <br />Biosol 7-2-3, a slow release fertilizer, was applied by helicopter at a rate of 1,800 pounds <br />per acre. Certified weed free straw mulch was applied at a rate of 2,000 pounds per acre. <br />At four of the five outslopes, the mulch was applied by helicopter. <br />Approximately twenty-four acres of steep mine bench outslopes were scarified, seeded <br />fertilized and mulched during performance of this Project. Due to the steepness of the <br />slopes and because of the density and depth of the gullies present on the slopes, a precise <br />measurement of the acreage involved is extremely difficult. Acreage estimations were <br />made using aerial photos, topographic maps, real-time Global Positioning System mapping <br />and through the use of a range finder. <br />Using Calamagrostis seedlings grown from seed by the Upper Colorado Environmental <br />Plant Center in Meeker, Colorado, approximately two hundred grass tublings were planted <br />across each of the five mine bench outslopes at mid-slope. The mid-slope area was chosen <br />for planting, as it is anticipated that seed produced from the plants will have an equal <br />chance of being distributed either up- or down-slope by winds. <br />Approximately 540 containerized shrubs were planted at the base of each slope. The <br />purpose of this planting was to begin to establish vegetative sediment barriers. This <br />planting effort will be followed up in 2000 by planting large volumes of willow cuttings at <br />the base of some of the mine bench outslopes. The 2000 planting will establish a shrub <br />layering affect in the target areas. It is anticipated that this follow-up planting will largely <br />be accomplished with the help and assistance of volunteers. <br />In order to help control sediment at the base of three slopes accessible by equipment, <br />sediment traps were constructed. In one instance, this required the excavation of existing, <br />but non-functional, sediment traps. These broad shallow traps were excavated so that <br />runoff from a portion of two mines and the runout from a large avalanche, would pass <br />through this sequence of three traps, allowing water to stand for a short period of time, <br />permitting sediment to drop out of suspension. Locally obtained willow cuttings were <br />planted around the perimeter of these sediment traps in order to further slow water as it <br />exits the traps, and to provide for habitat enhancement. <br />In some areas, adequate room to construct sediment traps does not exist. At one such <br />location, logs and timber were placed into semi-concentric arrangements along the length <br />of the slope base. This approach is a short term sediment control measure, due primarily to <br />the limited detention time afforded by the logs and timber. Intensive shrub planting will <br />occur at this location in 2000 to provide for a greater degree of sediment control. <br />11