Revegetation Materials and Methods
On completion of work, site contours will be returned to preconstruction conditions or designed to provide increased biological and hydrological functions. Where disturbed, topsoil will be conserved for reuse during restoration, to the extent practicable. Native plant species comprising a diverse community structure (plantings of both woody and herbaceous species, if both are present) that follow a plant species palette approved through the ESA Section 7(a)(2) Review Form process will be used for revegetation of disturbed and compacted areas, as appropriate. See also GPM-015: Revegetate Disturbed Areas, which also allows for revegetation through natural recruitment (e.g., in tidal and managed wetlands and working landscapes where disturbed areas typically revegetate more quickly through natural recruitment than through seeding).
Any area barren of vegetation as a result of project implementation will be restored to a natural state by mulching, seeding, planting, or other means, with native trees, shrubs, willow stakes, erosion control native grass seed mixes, or herbaceous plant species, following completion of project construction. Restoration planning for these areas should include steps to prevent colonization by nonnative species, including recolonization by any nonnative plant species that occupied the site prior to project implementation. Irrigation may also be required to ensure survival of containerized shrubs or trees or other vegetation, depending on rainfall. If irrigation is used, all irrigation materials will be removed once no longer needed. Soils that have been compacted by heavy equipment will be decompacted by shallow or deep ripping, if necessary to allow for revegetation at project completion as heavy equipment exits the construction area.