Laserfiche WebLink
species from Table 11-2 (Green needlegrass and Wood's rose, which are substitutes for Parry's <br />• oatgrass and Shrubby cinquefoil). After review of the fescue species, CC&V agrees that <br />Arizona fescue would be a preferable option to Sheep fescue and it will be added to the current <br />seed mix. Rocky Mountain penstemon, which has been a poor performer, would be deleted <br />from the forb component of the reclamation mix. In addition, Parry's oatgrass (which has not <br />been available) would be replaced with a similar species (Timber oatgrass) and Mountain <br />mahogany will be added to the shrub component. These last two additions are at the request of <br />the Colorado Department of Wildlife (CDOM. <br />As noted, Cicer milkvetch is a beneficial legume and is somewhat competitive. However, <br />CC&V has found that it does not become overly aggressive in all areas. Areas that do show <br />increased frequency of the species are limited and probably related to the right conditions for <br />that species (e.g. slope, aspect, soil type, nutrients, etc.). Thus CC&V has not seen a problem <br />with limited areas of higher frequencies of fortis. Cicer milkvetch is currently broadcast at a <br />rate of approximately 3.5 seeds per square foot (out of a total of -92 seeds per square foot or <br />3.8% of the mix). The seeding rate of all species may vary slightly from year to year or by <br />specific area depending on the reclamation goals CC&V is attempting to achieve in the area. <br />In general CC&V attempts to get 70 to 100 seeds per square foot with a higher density of <br />grasses (70%) over forbs and shrubs (30%). This normally works out to a seeding rate of 20 <br />to 25 pounds PLS per acre. CC&V would prefer not to specify the seeding rate in the <br />application and thus be locked in to that specific rate when CC&V may need the flexibility at <br />certain times. CC&V's reclamation goal is to establish a permanent and diverse cover on all <br />• reclaimed areas suitable to support the post-mining land uses of grazing and wildlife habitat <br />thereby facilitating bond release. <br />G. What is the criterion that CC&V will utilize to determine which "steep slopes" will be <br />hydro mulched? Please explain. <br />Response. <br />Hydro-seeding and/or hydro-mulching is generally limited to areas which are not conducive <br />to broadcast seeding due to slope or other site conditions (equipment access). These specific <br />areas are identified at the time of seeding. In most cases, areas with slopes steeper than 2.5H: <br />1 V will require hydro-seeding, which has been used as a guide in proposing the financial <br />warranty. In addition, some soil amendments require or are more effectively applied through <br />hydro-mulching, which is decided on a case-by-case basis during reclamation. Highwall <br />inter- bench areas are expected to be minor and with normal slope-raveling and sloughing, <br />these areas will naturally revegetate over time. No specific reclamation effort is proposed for <br />the highwall areas that will remain as final reclamation. <br />H. The East Cresson Overburden storage area is expected to be end dumped at 50 foot lifts, <br />compacted with rubber tired vehicles, and capped with 3 feet of low infiltration cover. In <br />portions of the application this low infiltration cover is referred to as a clay cap. The <br />• Division will require this low infiltration cover to be placed in accordance with the <br />specification for the soil liner fill, for the valley leach facility. In time roots of the established <br />community may pierce through this low infiltration cover. This could impact the long term <br />success of the plant species establishment. A lime amendment to lower the possibility of <br />17