2012-06-20_PERMIT FILE - C2010089 (63)

Home Browse Search

o NRCS Natural Resources Conservatioh Service Jim Boyd, Resource Conservationist jim.boyd @co.usdagov P. O. Box 29 970-327-4245-OFFICE Norwood, CO 81423 970-327-4247-FAX July 11, 2006 Ross Gubka Western Fuels Colorado P.O. Box 628 Nucla,. CO 81424 Dear Mr. Gubka: United States Department of Agriculture Upon assessment of the dryland pastures at the Western Fuels Coal Mine near Nucla, Colorado, it is my professional judgment that it would be beneficial to interseed grasses and forbs into the existing vegetation using a no -till drill. It can be very difficult to establish a dryland seeding in a low precipitation zone such as the Nucla area, which receives approximately 12 inches of precipitation per year. Therefore, it is a common husbandry practice to follow up the initial seeding with additional seeding in subsequent years in order to establish the intended plants in sufficient densities. To preserve the plants that have become established, interseeding into the existing vegetation with a no -till drill is the best practice for accomplishing this; unless the first seeding was a complete failure, in which case it would be advantageous to prepare a good seedbed by dislcing and harrowing, and then replant. It may take three to five years, multiple seeding, and some timely rains before a successful dryland seeding can become established. If you have any further questions concerning my assessment of the reclaimed dryland pastures on the Western Fuels Coal Mine, please contact me. Jim Boyd, NRCS Resource Conservationist The Natural Resource Consarvatlon Service works In partnership with the American People . m conserve and sustain natural resources on private lends. M Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.