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seed and fertilizer, (4) hand seeded and mulched artificial benches <br /> constructed on the outslope. Each test plot was fertilized using <br /> di-ammonium phosphate and each was seeded with the Mine Site Seed <br /> Mixture. <br /> The bid specifications at the 3 and 4 Mines called for hydraulic <br /> application of seed, mulch and fertilizer. Seed was applied at a <br /> rate of 12 pounds per acre. Three hundred pounds of fertilizer per <br /> acre was applied along with two tons per acre hydro mulch. These <br /> same specifications were followed at the first test plot area. <br /> Following rainstorms and a snow storm, it was observed that the <br /> seed was scoured from the base and lower sides of the rills and <br /> gullies of the outslopes. It is assumed that much of the seed <br /> which remains on the ridges and the face of the outslopes may <br /> become desiccated, or may be removed by erosion. The seed which is <br /> held in place immediately above a rock or other ledge forming <br /> object will probably have the best chance for successful <br /> germination. In other words, flat areas on the outslopes provide <br /> the best environment for successful revegetation efforts. <br /> With this theory in mind, two outslope revegetation tests involving <br /> the construction of small benches on the outslopes were conducted. <br /> The purpose of the tests was to test whether flat areas on the <br /> outslopes promote a better stand of vegetation than slopes on which <br /> only protruding rock create flat areas for seed germination. In <br /> both tests, aspen logs were anchored to the outslope by driving six <br /> foot roof bolts three to four feet deep into the outslope. <br /> Material up slope of the logs was excavated by shovel to form a <br /> flat bench behind the logs. The benches are the same length as the <br /> logs, and vary in width up to about three feet, depending upon the <br /> slope angle. It took one person about one hour to build twelve <br /> benches without assistance. Additional time to obtain and deliver <br /> materials to the construction site was required. <br /> In the first test, twelve benches were constructed across the south <br /> eastern outslope near Mine 4. These benches were seeded using <br /> hydro seed and hydro mulch, with fertilizer. <br /> The second test involved construction of an identical set of twelve <br /> benches which were hand seeded, fertilized and mulched. The seed <br /> and fertilizer were thrown onto the benches in unmeasured <br /> quantities. Straw mulch was thrown onto each bench until the <br /> surface was obscured by the straw. The straw was then crimped into <br /> the dirt of the bench by punching it into the dirt with a shovel. <br /> In early October, Revex, an erosion control product specialties <br /> company contacted the Division and offered to provide a free <br /> demonstration of Soil Guard, a spray-on erosion control mat. Soil <br /> Guard is a wood fiber product applied as a slurry by hydro seeding <br /> machinery. The product is extremely viscous, and binds to soil, <br /> rock and any other object on the ground surface with which it comes <br /> 15 <br />