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also provide some shade for developing vegetation. Modification of the reclamation area's <br />microclimate through moisture capture and increased shade can enhance seedling germination, <br />establishment and growth. For example, 1 foot of snow captured by a wind barrier or break <br />translates roughly into one inch of rainwater. This captured water may significantly improve <br />seedling survival during drought periods. <br />Wind barriers and breaks may be created using commonly available construction materials or <br />plant materials. Common examples of barriers and breaks include snow fences, shrub or tree <br />shelterbelts and strip cropping (herbaceous plant covers). When used, wind barriers and breaks <br />will be placed on the windward perimeter of the area being planted. Additional wind barriers <br />and breaks will be placed as necessary downwind from the upwind perimeter barrier or break at <br />periodic intervals based on site configuration, orientation and exposure to prevailing winds. <br />The most effective windbreaks are 75 to 80% solid (20 to 25% open or porous). Allowing some <br />air to flow through and under the wind barrier or break prevents much of the down - drafting and <br />scouring that occurs behind a solid structure. Generally, wind barriers and breaks provide 10 <br />feet of downwind protection for each foot of their vertical height. Wind barrier and break height <br />will be adjusted to protect reclaimed areas, while allowing adequate space for conducting routine <br />agronomic management practices. <br />Woody seed mixtures can be planted on the leeward side of wind fences to take advantage of <br />increased soil moisture to be expected from increased snow deposition and melt. Establishment <br />of woody species in these zones will be improved and once established will effectively create <br />living wind barriers or breaks that are capable of self - regeneration, thus becoming permanent <br />wind erosion control features. <br />Cover Cropping <br />Habitat Management, Inc. <br />GCC Rio Grande, Inc. -Red Rock Mine <br />Drought Management Plan <br />Residue or growing vegetation on the soil surface reduces wind velocity at the ground surface. <br />As the quantity of residue on the surface increases, the wind velocity decreases. Pound for <br />pound, residues with a stem of a smaller diameter result in more surface area of residue and <br />therefore produce more friction. As stem friction increases wind velocities are reduced. <br />Standing residues reduce wind velocity more than those lying flat. Triticale will be used as a <br />6 <br />03/03/2003 <br />