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IRRIGATION <br />manufacturer's recommendations and in accordance with Colorado state <br />laws. <br />During the reclamation process, placement of topsoil can result in a flush of annual <br />plants that are "weedy" in their growth habits, even after seeding and mulching with <br />certified weed -free hay. Primary invader species such as fanweed (thlaspi arvense), <br />Russian thistle or tumbleweed (Salsola iberica) and Kochia (Kochia scoparia) are generally <br />prevalent the first year or two after initial seeding. Several papers document the <br />effectiveness of these annual invader species as a cover crop and mulch to stabilize the <br />reclaimed site (Day et al., 1979: and Day and Ludeke (1987). Field inspections <br />performed at one and two -years after initial seeding usually observe increased shrub <br />and forb germination at the base of senescent and dead tubleweeds. Since these weed <br />species are almost always present after topsoiling, use of barley or sterile Triticum may <br />not be necessary as a cover crop or stubble mulch. Since they are primary invaders on <br />disturbed sites, they can not compete with the seeded species after two or three years <br />and become a minor or non - existent component in the reclamation. <br />The use of suitable soil materials for subsoil and topsoil reconstruction, the placement <br />of water harvesting features throughout reclamation areas, and the use preferential use <br />of native and introduced plant species adapted to the Red Rock Mine site will allow the <br />germination and establishment of adequate vegetation covers on lands disturbed by <br />proposed mining operations. Using standard reclamation techniques and methods, <br />suitable vegetation communities have been established on reclaimed lands at other <br />mines in the western United States that have climatic regimes and weather patterns <br />similar to the proposed Red Rock Mine. Permanent vegetation capable of supporting <br />the post - mining land uses of rangeland has been established successfully without the <br />use of irrigation in a variety of arid and semi -arid locations (Black Mesa/Kayenta Mine, <br />Appendix G 7 07/01/02 <br />