N.M. Code R. § 20.11.20.24 Native Grass Seeding and Mulch Specifications

• Library: New Mexico Administrative Code
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through Register Vol. 34, No. 24, December 19, 2023
• Citation: N.M. Code R. § 20.11.20.24
• Year: 2023

A. If the fugitive dust control permit includes provisions to revegetate a disturbed area, the permittee may use the specifications described in 20.11.20.24 NMAC. When properly applied and maintained, these specifications have provided reasonably successful results in the past in Bernalillo county. They are included here as a reference for permittees and others who choose to use native revegetation as a long-term reasonably available control measure. However, use of these specifications does not guarantee success. Failure of any revegetation method as a long-term reasonably available control measure requires re-application or other control method approved by the department. The disturbed area shall maintain compliance with 20.11.20 NMAC.

(1) The native seedspecies used and rate of application should be as provided in Subsection F of 20.11.20.24 NMAC. (a) If the area to be seeded is along a recreational trail of any type, the seed mixes for either type of soil listed in Subsection F of 20.11.20.24 NMAC should not include four-wing saltbush and the seeding rate should be reduced by one pound per acre. (b) Seeds may be pre-mixed by a seed dealer. Each pre-mixed bag of seed should be sealed and labeled by the seed dealer in accordance with federal seed laws and New Mexico department of agriculture labeling laws. The label should include: variety, kind of seed, lot number, purity, germination, percent crop, percent inert, percent weed (including noxious weeds), origin, test data and net weight. Federal seed laws require that analysis shall be no older than five months for seed shipped interstate and no older than nine months for seed shipped intra-state. (c) 48 hours before seeding, the owner or operator should give written notice to the department by hand delivery or facsimile, requesting inspection of the sealed seed bags to be used. The department may inspect the sealed seed bags and labels.

(2) Fertilizer and soil amendments: unless otherwise specified in the fugitive dust control permit, no fertilizer or other soil amendments are required on areas to be reseeded.

(3) Mulch: areas to be reseeded should be mulched as described below unless otherwise specified in the permit. (a) Hay mulch: perennial native or introduced grasses of fine-stemmed varieties should be used unless otherwise specified in the plan. At least 65 percent of the herbage by weight of each bale of hay should be 10 inches in length or longer. Hay with noxious seed or plants should not be used. Rotted, brittle, or moldy hay are not considered acceptable. Marsh grass or prairie hay composed of native grass of species to be seeded is considered acceptable. Tall wheat grass, intermediate wheat grass switch grass, or orchard hay will be acceptable if cut prior to seed formation Marsh grass hay...