2012-11-05_REVISION - C1982056 (5)

Home Browse Search

In every instance, sites receiving straw mulch produced from 12 to 13 percent lower seedling survival than did the controls. At the ColoWyo Mine, Herron and Berg (1977) reported considerably lower shrub seedling survivial for mulched plots in their shrub management practice study. Shrub seedling mortality on unmulched plots was 52 percent while plots mulched with 2 tons per acre of alfalfa experienced a shrub mortality rate' of 75 percent. In another study reported by Herron and Berg (1977), percent vegetative cover of seeded herbaceous species on a control plot declined 24 percent from 1976 to 1977 while a straw mulched plot underwent a 68 percent reduction in plant cover for the same time period. Data and observations collected on the CYCC mulching plot studies in Lease C -20900 made during the Summer and Fall of 1980 indicate no superiority of mulching either with barley straw or annual grains over direct seeding to perennials. Plant cover was not different and a significant amount of runoff did not occur on mulched or non mulched plots. In summary, these data document that the planting of an annual grain mulch hinders the development of perennial species. The use of an annual grain mulch under these conditions makes it difficult to achieve the plant cover and woody plant density requirements specified under Rule 4.15.8, within the ten year liability period. Consequently, TCC believes that it is desirable, from a revegetation standpoint, to seek a variance from the mulching requirement in connection with this permit application. Conclusion Under Section 4.15.4(5) authority is granted to the Division to "suspend the requirement for mulch if the permittee can demonstrate that alternative procedures will achieve the requirements of 4.15, and do not cause or contribute to air or water pollution ". It is the 2.05 -47