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shelves per acre on each outslope, similar to those built in 1999. Concurrent with shelf <br /> construction, bands of trees were planted mid-slope at most of the outslopes. Originally, <br /> this activity had been planned for each slope, however, during construction it was <br /> determined that the trees would serve the goals of the project better if they were more <br /> concentrated in some areas, while increasing the number of shrubs to be planted at the <br /> outslopes from which the trees had been eliminated. <br /> Bands of trees were planted at Mine I East outslope (500 trees), Mine 3 upper outslope <br /> (500 trees) Mine 3 lower outslope (300 trees) and the Mine 5 fan outslope (300 trees). <br /> The trees were planted in an offset pattern on a five feet spacing both horizontally and <br /> vertically. This pattern was chosen in an effort to maximize the number of trees that <br /> would be intercepted if a line was drawn at a random spot on the outslope, and extended <br /> parallel with the fall of the slope through the tree band. Using this approach, it is <br /> assumed that the flow of water is most disrupted, and that the potential for the tree roots <br /> to hold soil in place is maximized. <br /> Following tree planting, shrubs were planted at the base of the outslopes in a tight pattern <br /> at specific areas. The planting areas were selected based upon the observed tendency of <br /> any one area to channel runoff from the outslope. Areas that appear to carry significant <br /> volumes of runoff were targeted for shrub planting, as these are the conduits through <br /> which sediment is moved from the site to receiving streams. The shrubs were planted on <br /> a four to five feet spacing in random patterns, with care being exercised to plant in a <br /> manner that assures water will contact the maximum number of plants in its course down <br /> slope. Six hundred shrubs were planted at the Mine I east outslope, 1,000 at the Mine 1 <br /> west outslope, 1,000 at the Mine 3 upper outslope, 900 at the Mine 3 lower outslope, and <br /> 500 at the Mine 5 fan outslope. <br /> A spring occurs at the base of the Mine 3 south outslope. The runoff from the upper and <br /> lower portions of the Mine 3 outslope passes through the drainage swale of the spring as <br /> it flows toward a tributary of Dutch Creek. This swale is an important vector for <br /> sediment transport from the site. It was desirable to establish a stand of vegetation at this <br /> location to act as a vegetative sediment barrier in order to slow sediment-laden runoff <br /> prior to it flowing toward Dutch Creek. Straw wattles impregnated with rooted willow <br /> cuttings were planted in the swale at the base of the Mine 3 lower outslope for a distance <br /> of approximately eighty feet. These wattles were placed diagonally in the swale to <br /> provide as much contact area as possible, so that the flow velocities will be slowed to the <br /> point that sediment readily drops out of suspension. <br /> Following the preparatory work, seeding and mulching of the outslopes was <br /> accomplished. The seed mixture (Table 2; 2004 Mine Bench Outslope Seed Mixture) is <br /> somewhat modified from that used in 1999. In order to help provide an opportunity for <br /> germination of the perennial species, a sterile wheat seed was included in the mixture. <br /> The sterile wheat was included in the mixture because it tends to germinate early in the <br /> spring, providing a degree of slope stabilization in order that other species can become <br /> established. <br /> 10 <br />