2011-11-28_PERMIT FILE - C1992081A (11)

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Fertilization. Fertilizer may be applied to reclaimed areas as phosphorous. Phosphorous is beneficial to root growth and plant establishment and development. When used, phosphorous will be applied prior to seedbed preparation in order that it may be incorporated into the root zone by the disking operation. Nitrogen fertilizer will not be used in areas to be seeded. Nitrogen tends to encourage annual weedy growth in newly seeded areas resulting in a potential for excessive competition and reduction in desired stand density. A nitrogen application may be made as a top dressing in seeded pasture areas after the perennial vegetation has become sufficiently established. Nitrogen will not be applied in years when reclaimed stands are evaluated for bond release unless the comparison standard was derived from fertilized stand data. Seed Mixes. Three permanent seed mixes and one temporary stabilization mix have been developed for reclamation of disturbances. The mixes are described below and are listed in Tables 20 -1 through 20 -4. Seed Mix No. 1 (Table 20 -1) has been designed to establish dryland pasture as grazing lands in areas which were originally reseeded cropland prior to construction of the loadout facility and rail loop. Exhibit 18 -1, Post - Operational Topography and Vegetation, illustrates the areas to be considered for this mix. The mix is comprised of species that . perform well on the soils present in the permit area and are productive under the normal precipitation received in the area without supplemental irrigation. All grasses have similar palatability and management requirements. A pasture type alfalfa has been included to improve the protein level and palatability of the forage and provide soil nitrogen benefits. To eliminate the potential for bloat, it totals less then 25 percent of the mix (based on seeds per square foot). Western wheatgrass was included as a species to enhance long term stability without seriously affecting productivity in the pasture. Seed Mix No. 2 (Table 20 -2) will be used in reclaiming disturbances in subi rri gated/ irrigated improved pasture areas north of Walker Ditch (see Exhibit 20 -1) . The composition of the mix includes a number of species currently established in adjacent undisturbed pasture areas. The mix includes species adapted to a range of moisture regimes and soil characteristics that may be present on the reclaimed site. These species will return productivity and utility levels, will respond to management inputs, and have proven value for the intended postmine land uses. Seed Mix No. 3 (Table 20 -3) has been developed for reclamation of disturbed upland or lowland native rangeland areas (Exhibit 18 -1, Tab 18). Reclaimed site characteristics will TR -07 2 Revised 03/06