Laserfiche WebLink
• the permit area which have not been disturbed, but which have had irrigation water <br /> shut-off in order to better control and manage surface and ground water within the mine <br /> area during operations. These latter lands occur in the western portion of the proposed <br /> permit area. <br /> Irrigated hayland will be returned in two areas of the reclaimed lands, the 15 acres <br /> allocated to prime farmland restoration and approximately 25 acres identified as cropland <br /> in the western portion of the permit area during baseline studies (see Tab 10 "Baseline <br /> Vegetation Studies" and Exhibit 10-2 "Vegetation Baseline Map"). The 25 acres identified <br /> as cropland in the baseline studies are located on the poorer soils within the area and <br /> have not received high levels of management in the past. These lands will receive only <br /> associated disturbance and thus may only be marginally improved in terms of soils and site <br /> characteristics. These lands will be planted with a grass dominated hay crop. The prime <br /> farmland irrigated hayland will be reclaimed to the requirements of the regulations <br /> covering prime farmland and planted to an alfalfa-orchardgrass mix. <br /> Topsoil replacement operations may be carried out during most of the year, the exception <br /> being those periods when wet conditions would preclude handling of the topsoil materials. <br /> Prior to replacement of topsoil, the graded spoil will be ripped to reduce compaction. <br /> Detailed topsoil handling and replacement plans are provided in Tab 21 "Minesoil <br /> Reconstruction". The optimum seeding season for establishment of the irrigated pasture <br /> and hayland types is during the spring as early as soil moisture conditions allow for <br /> tillage and seeding operations. As a result of irrigation, seeding may be carried out as <br /> Late as July 15. This will allow for a 75-90 day growing season, enough time to establish <br /> an adequate stand capable of over-wintering. Fall dormant seedings may be made into <br /> annual grain stubble if the potential for competition from established weedy species is <br /> not great. For situations where temporary stabilization is required outside of the normal <br /> seeding periods, and the stabilization period is less than one year, an annual grain cover <br /> crop of barley or winter wheat will be used. At times, the size or shape of the <br /> retopsoiled areas and shape of the reclaimed area in relation to a management unit may be <br /> insufficient to warrant establishment of the perennial irrigated pasture species <br /> initially. When this occurs, and the period before establishment of permanent irrigated <br /> pasture will extend beyond a year, Seed Mix #3 - Temporary Reclamation, detailed in an <br /> earlier section, will be used. This mix will provide interim stabilization as well as <br /> organic matter benefits when incorporated during tillage and seedbed preparation prior to <br /> seeding of the irrigated pasture or hayland seed mixes. <br /> 22-18 Revised 07/25/91 <br />