West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 58 - Natural Resources › Title 58 - LEGISLATIVE EXEMPT RULE BUREAU OF COMMERCE DIVISION OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Series 58-35 - Rules And Conditions Upon Which Oil And Gas Operators May Access State Forests › Appendix B

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
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.