Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 11 - Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality › Part 8 - Geology Regulations › Chapter 2 - Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality Regulations Governing Surface Coal Mining › Appendix 11-8-2-A - To The Administrative Procedures Act Rules › Addendum 11-8-2-11-8-2-A-W - Pastureland and Grazing Land Forage Production Standards For Post Mined Soils

Current through June 25, 2024
Rules 2,4,5
The purpose of this document is to identify plant species
					 suitable to control soil erosion and sustain the original expected forage
					 production for coal mining sites in Choctaw County, Mississippi. Selected plant
					 species are based on soil suitability and adaptation to the conditions of the
					 selected site.
To provide proper treatment, an adequate supply of
					 nutrients must be available for plant use. An adequate supply of nutrients will
					 be applied according to a soil test.
Below are some plant species that are well suitable for the
					 area disturbed:
Bahiagrass
Common Bermuda
Hybrid
							 Bermuda
Kobe Lespedeza
White Clover
Crimson
							 Clover
Site Preparation.
The site will be smoothed and shaped, where needed, to
					 permit the use of conventional equipment for establishment and maintenance of
					 needed vegetation. Graded slopes in the area will not be greater than 6:1.
					 Strip and stockpile topsoil and spread evenly over the treated area prior to
					 seedbed preparation.
Seedbed Preparation.
The soil will be thoroughly pulverized a minimum of 4
					 inches deep and harrowed to a uniform, smooth surface. Lime and fertilizer will
					 be incorporated during seedbed preparation. Cultipack before and after
					 planting.
Fertilizer and Lime.
Apply lime and fertilizer according to a soil test or make
					 an initial application of 78 pounds of actual N - P - K and maintain a level of
					 65 pounds of actual N, P, and K per acre each year and pH at 6.0 to 7.0 for
					 best results. For grass-legume mixture, apply about ½ the amount for
					 nitrogen.
Table 1. Planting Recommendation
Plant species
Planting date
Seeding rate in lbs. pure live seed per
							 acre
Seed depth (inches)
alone
mix
Bahia grass
March-June
30
20
1/4
Common Bermuda
March-May
8
3
1/4
grass
Hybrid Bermuda
March-July
1
/
1
/
2-3
grass
Kobe Lespedeza
2
/
March-May
15
1/4
White Clover
2
/
Sept.-November 15
3
1/4
Crimson Clover
2
/
Sept.-October
25
1/4
1
/ Plant 25,000 sprigs when
					 planting alone and 20,000 when planting with a legume mixture.
2
/ Legume seed will be inoculated
					 with proper inoculant.
Management.
Do not cut annual lespedeza more than once a year. Make the
					 cutting early enough to allow plant to mature seed after hay is harvested. For
					 grasses and grass-legume mixtures, make the last cutting at least one month
					 prior to the end of the growing season. For warm season grasses with winter
					 legumes, apply P and K in September. Make first application of nitrogen in
					 June; second application, if needed, in mid-July.
Table 2. Pasture and Hayland Management
Plant Species
Growth stage to begin
Minimum height
cutting
grazing
cutting
grazing
Bahia grass
Boot to flower
5"
2"
3"
Common Bermuda
Boot to flower
5"
2"
3"
Hybrid Bermuda
Boot to flower
6"
3"
4"
Kobe Lespedeza
Bloom
6"
3"
3"
Grass-Legume mixture
½ bloom of legume
5"
4"
3"
Tall Fescue
Boot
6"
3"
3"
Apply N - P - K immediately after growth begins.
Note: Grazing should be done in keeping with the minimum
					 heights given in Table 2 on minimum cutting height above.
Note: AUM (Animal-Unit-Month) from Table 5.--Land
					 Capability and Yield per Acre of Crops and Pasture, of the Soil Survey of
					 Choctaw (or any other) County must be converted to tons per acre. One AUM
					 equals 780 pounds of dry matter forage.
For example. 2000 / 780 = 2.56
For common Bermuda on Aerial soil type, the expected yield
					 under a high level of management is 9.0 AUM 9.0 x 2.56 = 23.04 tons per
					 acre