Laserfiche WebLink
represent a minimal and cost-conscious effort to address the serious erosional <br /> problems left by the abandonment of this site by the previous operators. <br /> Hand scarification of the surface is necessary because it is obviously inaccessible to <br /> tractors with harrows that would accomplish the task on more nearly level sites at <br /> substantially less cost. Creation of small benches has been critcized by consultants to <br /> the former operator. I believe that the extreme conditions left on the site by the <br /> operator necessitate this sort of labor-intensive treatment because as discussed above <br /> the steepness of the sites leaves it extremely unlikely that seed can catch, germinate <br /> and establish unless some type of roughening creates a protected microsite. The small <br /> bene�ost surely are not permanent features, but they will, before their demise, <br /> contribute to the number of locations where vegetation can become established, slowly <br /> bringing stability to these extremely steep slopes. <br /> Collection of native seed for use in the revegetation process is appropriate because the <br /> species involved clearly demonstrate a capacity to persist over the long term on this <br /> site. The European forage species that comprise most of the seed mix specified for <br /> acquisition from commercial sources have, as mentioned above, useful early vigor; <br /> what is not clear is their ability to persist in the long term. The native purple reedgrass <br /> (Calamagrostis purpurascens), groundsel (Senecio atratus), and glaucous aster(Aster <br /> glaucodes aka Eucephalus glaucus) specified for on-site collection and inclusion in the <br /> sown mix all show clear affinity for occupation of steep slope sites in Coal Basin. Their <br /> inclusion not only addresses the need for natives not otherwise commercially available, <br /> but also covers the possibility that locally adapted genetic races best adapted to the <br /> Coal Basin area are used. <br /> The Coal Basin Mine Site Seed Mixture (Table 1. for North Basin Steep Slope <br /> Revegetation Project bid solicitation) and the Outslope Seed Mixture (Table 2. of same) <br /> are mixes that include species proven in high altitude revegetation. Total seed count is <br /> 124.3 seeds per square foot for the former mix and 110.9 seeds per square foot for the <br /> latter mix. These are high rates by low altitude standards. However, it is to be <br /> remembered that a) these mixes are to be broadcast and b) considering the severity of <br /> the environmental conditions (and the consequent low probability of successful catch <br /> 6 <br />