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process within the NHN Mine area for reclamation under Rule 1.04. Map 2.04.9 -3 shows the <br />average topsoil salvage depths in the disturbed area. <br />• <br />• <br />Seeding Procedures <br />The optimum seeding time for the establishment of Dryland and Irrigated Pasture is during the <br />late fall once the fall frost arrives or during the early spring as soon as soil moisture conditions <br />allow for proper tillage and seeding operations. On areas which will be irrigated, seeding may <br />occur anytime prior to July 15. This will allow for a growing season of approximately 90 days, <br />which will ensure proper plant establishment and ensure that the plants are mature enough not to <br />winter kill. During the initial seeding of all reclaimed Irrigated Pasturelands (IMIP and IP) with <br />the permanent seed mix, an annual grain companion cover crop of oats or barley or other suitable <br />grass, seeded at a rate of 40 # PLS per acre will be seeded. The use of a cover crop will provide <br />for rapid stabilization of the respread topsoil and ensure that the site is adequately stabilized so <br />that little of the reapplied topsoil will be lost to wind or water erosion. The annual cover crop <br />will also add nitrogen and organic matter to the respread topsoil. Reseeding of the annual cover <br />crop will help to restore the necessary soil mycorrizha that might have died during the storage of <br />the topsoil for long periods of time in the topsoil stockpiles. Methods to restore the soil biota <br />have long been a recommended practice in mine land reclamation. <br />Due to the size and configuration of the retopsoiled areas in relation to the overall proposed <br />postmining land use, there may be instances where the areas are too small to warrant the seeding <br />of such areas with the permanent seed mixtures. In such instances these small areas will be <br />seeded to Seed Mixture # 3 - Temporary Reclamation mix, and then seeded to the permanent <br />seed mixture the following year. <br />Reclaimed Irrigated Pastureland Revegetation Success Criteria and Success Demonstration <br />The revegetation success standards for this reclamation type are based on the establishment of <br />reclaimed Irrigated Pastureland as the postmining land use. Reclaimed Irrigated Pastureland <br />should be able to attain a good level of productivity with only one to two grasses and a legume <br />under continuing and adequate management inputs. This includes scheduled irrigation, annual <br />Section 2.05.4(2)(e) Page 14 April 2011 <br />