2002-07-08_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - M2002004 (4)

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2000 Billings Land Reclamation Symposium SAGEBRUSH AND MINE RECLAMATION: WHAT'S NEEDED FROM HERE? Larry H. Kleinman' and Timothy C. Richmond ABSTRACT The Wyoming Environmental Quality Act requires coal mines to include shrubs in the reclamation revegetation species mix and further specifies planting patterns and density required for full reclamation bond release. Wyoming big sagebrush ( tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) is a principal shrub component in many of the vegetative communities found in the coal mining districts of Wyoming and elsewhere in the western United States. Efforts to establish Wyoming big sagebrush on reclaimed areas by the coal mining companies in Wyoming have met with mixed success. The University of Wyoming, through its Abandoned Coal Mine Lands Research Program funded by the Abandoned Mine Land Program of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, has sponsored several research projects beginning in 1993 to better understand the requirements of Wyoming big sagebrush revegetation and to find more cost effective and dependable methodologies for meeting the legislative and regulatory requirements. The research to date has been less than conclusive; seed is germinating, but seedlings seldom reach a mature, dominant, or co- dominant position on reclaimed sites. One study found natural sagebrush stands are even -aged, suggesting only certain, unique climatic or weather conditions may be a requisite for stand establishment, or perhaps some catastrophic event such as fire, may be required. Further research is needed to find economic methods for Wyoming big sagebrush establishment and survival. Current seeding methodologies may add as much as five cents to the cost of producing one ton of coal. Coal contracts are won or lost by as little as five cents subtracted or added to the cost per ton of coal. What are the economic cut -offs for "transplanting and seeding" What types of cultural practices will ensure seed germination and seedling survival each year, instead of just when climatic conditions are ideal? Cultural practices may include, but are not limited to soil chemical and physical characteristics , surface manipulation, mulches, cover crops and heavy livestock grazing. This information is needed before the mining industry can satisfy the regulatory requirements in a cost - effective manner. Additional Key Words: shrubs, revegetation, regeneration 1. Reclamation Manager, Kiewit Mining Group, Black Butte coal Company, Point of Rocks, Wyoming. 2. Project Officer, Abandoned Mine Land Division, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Cheyenne, Wyoming.