1. A. All planting plans, including trees and shrubs, shall include provisions for a herbaceous cover. The selection of plant species shall be based on proposed postmining land use, elevation, and soil conditions.

2. B. Establishment of a temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetative cover requires the following treatment:

   1. (1) Preparation of a seed bed by discing, harrowing, or other methods, if an adequate seed bed does not exist;
   2. (2) Application of lime to obtain a proper pH for the seed mixture to be planted, with minimum rate of 4 tons of lime per acre required, although a liming rate based on a soil analysis may be substituted for the minimum rate;
   3. (3) Application of fertilizer to ensure proper nutrients for plant growth, with minimum rate of 400 pounds per acre of 10-20-20 or equivalent required, although a fertilizer rate based on soil analysis may be substituted for the minimum rate;
   4. (4) Inoculation of legume seed with proper strain, and triple the inoculation rate if hydroseeded;
   5. (5) Protection of seeded area from livestock grazing and harvesting;
   6. (6) Fall seeding of legumes to be completed by September 1; and
   7. (7) Spring planting of seedlings to be completed before May 1.

Authority: Environment Article, §15-503, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.07 were previously codified as COMAR 08.13.09.35A—G, respectively. Recodification occurred in April, 1993. For a history of these regulations before April, 1993, see "Administrative History of COMAR 08.13.09 before April, 1993" which follows COMAR 26.20.01.

Chapter recodified from COMAR 08.20.29 to COMAR 26.20.29, June 1996

Regulation .07 amended effective March 22, 1999 (26:6 Md. R. 488)