Reclamation Guidelines.
1. General:
A. Bulldozer tracking up and down slopes as provided in Manual, Section III.A.6, is not permitted for seed bed preparation unless approved by the Director. Where tracking is used for compaction of slopes before preparation of seed bed, the seed bed must be prepared with respreading of banked topsoil and discing as provided in Section 2 this appendix.
B. The regrading required by Manual, Section III B.1, need not be done if the current grade is acceptable and vegetation is occurring.
C. Native trees on side slopes shall be considered for planting or replanting.
D. Reclamation for disturbed areas created due to well maintenance and work-over shall be reclaimed in accordance with the Manual and this rule.
2. Revegetation.
A. The adjustment and modification of the standards in the Manual, Section IV.A.1, must have the prior and documented approval of the Director in addition to the Office of Oil and Gas before they are applied to state forest property.
B. Seed bed preparation as provided Manual, Section IV.B.2, may be used for temporary seeding. For seed bed preparation for permanent seeding, the seed bed must be loosened by discing on the contour, a root rake or sub-soil tiller. In the alternative, the original top soil may be banked and spread loosely without discing, raking, or tilling if it is not compacted.
C. The seed mixtures for temporary seeding in Manual, Section IV.C.1 are approved for use in the state forests. Regardless of vegetative cover, temporary seed mixtures are not best for wildlife and should not be carried through the restoration process. If a temporary seed mix is planted by hand or hydroseeding, it should be disced under during restoration and reseeded with the recommended permanent mix. KY31 fescue is prohibited.
D. Instead of the seed mixtures for permanent seeding in Manual, Section IV.C.2.c, one of the following seed mixtures shall be used and verified prior to planting by hand or hydroseeding:
i. Wildlife Seeding Recommendations For Forest Roads;
Seed Name | Rate (lbs/acre) |
Red Top | 2 |
Ladino Clover | 4* |
White Dutch Clover | 4* |
Mammoth Red Clover | 5* |
Birdsfoot Trefoil | 10* |
If using a hydroseeder, add: Switch Grass | 2 |
*Seed must be inoculated with fresh species specific innoculate. |
Nurse Crop (Pick only one) | Rate (lbs/acre) |
Oats | 10 (Spring) |
Winter Wheat | 10 (Late Fall) |
Rye | 10 (Fall) |
Planting Notes: 1. Preferred planting dates are March 15 through June 1 and August 15 through November 15. Planting outside of these dates may result in an unsuccessful planting. 2. Unless soil samples are taken and analyzed, 10-20-20 fertilizer and lime should be applied at 400 lbs and 3 tons per acre respectively. 3. To ensure appropriate soil moisture, straw mulch should be blown on at 1.5-2 tons per acre. 4. Because this mix requires little mowing, the cost savings can be redirected towards the addition of lime in later years. |
ii. Monongahela National Forest, Native Mix for Rights-of-Way; and
Common Name | Scientific Name | Rate (lb/acre) | Percent |
Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium/Andropogon scoparius | 20% | |
Canada Wild Rye | Elymus canadensis | 35% | |
Switch Grass | Panicum virgatum | 20% | |
Partridge Pea | Chamaecrista fasciculata/Cassia fasciculata | 25% | |
Apply above mix: 15 lbs per acre | |||
Oats (Nurse Crop for Spring-September 1) | Avena sativa | ||
Annual Ryegrass (Nurse crop if planting after September 1) | Lolim multiflorum | ||
Apply one (1) nurse crop: 30 lbs per acre | |||
TOTAL SEEDING: 45 lbs per acre |
iii. Cut banks, fill banks, and level areas that are abandoned from future use may be reclaimed with tree plantings.
iv. The use of native plants for revegetation may be required by the Director of the Division of Natural Resources, if in his opinion, seed mixtures are affective, readily available, and cost effective compared to the non-native mixes specifically shown herein.
E. Straw, not hay, may only be used.
W. Va. Code R. agency 58, tit. 58, ser. 58-35, app B