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minimize many of the cumulative and long -term effects of wetland <br />conversion. <br />7.2.2 Recommendations for Reclaiming Excavated Areas <br />In Colorado, excavated peatlands have been reclaimed using <br />conserved rootstock, willow cuttings and other methods which <br />restore indigenous species to the site, in only a few cases. <br />Accepting and promoting the concept will answer many of the <br />questions that remain regarding appropriate techniques and <br />important considerations. This section indicates two important <br />factors and suggests alternatives to in -kind reclamation. <br />From what is known of peatland morphology it appears that at <br />a minimum saturated soil conditions and the propagules (seeds or <br />root stocks) of appropriate species are required. Creating <br />saturated soil conditions may require that small water bars be <br />constructed after the final grading is completed. This would <br />serve to channel the flow of water to all parts of the area to be <br />reclaimed. Backfilling of any remaining drainage ditches will <br />help to bring the water table back up to its original height. <br />Since saturated soil conditions are not normally present 100% of <br />the time and may vary seasonally, planting should be timed so as <br />to take advantage of the wettest periods. <br />Providing the propagules will require the operator collect <br />the roots of the plants cleared from the site at the outset of <br />the excavation or collect fresh willow clippings from nearby <br />70 <br />