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NRCS <br />United States Department of Agriculture <br />Natural Resources Conservation Service <br />Akron, CO Service Center <br />Site Assessment: <br />On May 3rd, 2013; an initial visit was made to the project site. Verification of the predominant soil type, "Paoli <br />fine sandy loam," was made by digging a hole approximately 12" deep. Site is characterized by an Overflow <br />ecological site which is located within the Central High Plains major land resource area (MLRA -67B). <br />Predominant vegetation along the upland consists of, Sand dropseed, Smooth brome, Blue grama, and Needle <br />and thread. Sub - dominant grass species consist of, Little bluestem, Sideoats grama, Threeawn, and Downy <br />brome. The shrub and forb component on site was estimated to be approximately twenty percent of the total <br />plant species composition. Vegetative species identified within the creek bed varied significantly. Though <br />Russian knapweed has been previously identified on this site, none was observed during the entire site <br />assessment. <br />Weed Management: <br />Weed control is critical for the purpose of, restoring native plant species and protecting soils from soil erosion. <br />When perennial noxious weeds or other winter annuals are present, they will be controlled prior to seeding the <br />grass mix. Weed management prior to grass planting is critical because control methods become much more <br />restrictive while seedlings are in the process of establishing. Though Russian knapweed was not identified <br />during the initial site assessment in May, it is possible that the plant may still pose a threat and was undetected <br />due to early timing in the growing season. Based on prior knowledge of the project site area, it is also being <br />recommended that the following noxious weed species be added to the list of plants to monitor: Diffuse <br />knapweed, Dalmatian toadflax, and Canada thistle. All of the before mentioned noxious weed species are <br />identified on the "B" List for species in Colorado. If any of these plant species are identified on the project site, <br />it is recommended that guidelines and control measures set by the Colorado Department of Agriculture be <br />followed. Fact sheets concerning each of these individual noxious weed species are being provided to you and <br />control methods are outlined on the backs of these pages. <br />Site Preparation: <br />All sites will need to be formed and shaped in a way that is representative of the surrounding terrain. Slope <br />should not exceed 33% (3:1) on sites that will be planted using a grass drill. Topsoil which has been salvaged <br />should be restored to the surface of the disturbed site. During this process, attention should be given that the <br />soil has not become over - compacted by machinery, but will be firm and well settled so that correct seed depth <br />may be attained during seeding. Removal of materials such as rocks and trash should also be conducted in <br />order not to interfere with planting. The seedbed shall also be reasonably free of weeds so competition does not <br />inhibit seedling establishment. <br />In order to establish an approved cover, a crimping method (not disking) is recommended immediately after the <br />site has been formed. For instance, crimping involves using a disk like implement that will pass over a prepared <br />biomass layer allowing one end to be vertically pressed in to the soil (approximately 4 ") while the other end <br />sticks straight up (approximately 12" out of the ground). This practice should be implemented as a cross -slope <br />application method with a maximum of 20" between rows of vertically pressed biomass. The established level <br />of biomass should equal approximately 2,600 - 3,000 pounds per acre. A few of the considerations when <br />selecting a biomass type are; select a straw that is clean and weed -free, select a straw that was a sterile crop and <br />won't re -grow, select a straw that is ligneous or rigid in nature that will stand up to wind and blowing snow, and <br />select straw that will be manageable to work with. Corn stalks and sorghum straw may be very difficult to <br />manage and therefore less effective once established. I recommend using a wheat straw which is more readily <br />available and can be established at denser stands. Please contact the local NRCS field office if an alternative <br />cover method is to be used. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />Helping People Help the Land <br />An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br />