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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />a) The area will be regraded in accordance with PMT requirements. Additional ripping of the <br />overburden material will be conducted by a dozer to a depth of approximately four feet to <br />ensure the material is in a loose condition, rough condition to encourage infiltration of <br />rain/snowmelt and root development. Overburden with a significant course fragment <br />component is desireable. <br />b) The area will be tested for overburden suitability as per requirements. <br />c) An approximate average of four inches of topsoil will be placed to replicate common topsoil <br />depth conditions in the surrounding area in stands of this nature. Once the topsoil has been <br />placed, it will be roughened with a disc (pulled by a dozer or other appropriate machine) to <br />ensure the material is in a loose, rough condition to encourage infiltration of rain/snowmelt <br />and root development. <br />d) The Sagebrush Steppe mix will be modified to reduce the volume of "low shrubs" in favor of <br />tall shrub components of the mix. The grasses currently included in the mix will also be <br />reduced to minimize competition, while still providing some soil stabilization function. The <br />entire trial area will be seeded with the modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix as seen below. In the <br />event individual components of the mix are unavailable, guidance from the Division will be <br />sought prior to implementation of the trial. Weedguard fabric or its equivalent will be placed <br />in rows (at intervals of approximately 22 feet) and will be used to severely reduce <br />competition between the containerized plantings and annual weeds and grasses. Please see <br />the "Expected Field Implementation Plan for Tall Shrub Field Trials" illustration below. <br />e) Containerized 2-3 foot serviceberry and mahogany plants will be utilized from the most <br />similar source elevation available in the region. Based on the volume of containerized plants <br />included in the trial (550), a combined number of (300) serviceberry and mahogany plants <br />within the trial (five years after implementation) will be considered a successful <br />demonstration of Colowyo's ability to establish these species. Supplemental planting of <br />serviceberry and mahogany should be initiated the year following initial trial establishment <br />should initial survival of the plantings be very low. <br />f) Containerized serviceberry and mahogany plants will be placed through the weed barrier <br />fabric by hand (or by mechanical means if practical and economically feasible) as per best <br />practices with regards to depth, etc. Proper planting holes are important in transplant <br />survival. Holes should be two to three times wider than the root ball. If the soil is clay and <br />the sides of the hole become glazed during digging, the sides of the hole should be roughened <br />with a spade. Holes should be prewatered before planting in dry soils. This prevents initial <br />postplant water from migrating away from the root ball. Every effort will be made to plant at <br />the same depth that the tree or shrub was growing in its previous location. Damaged roots <br />will be clean-cut with a sharp blade prior to planting. If any circling or kinked roots are <br />discovered during the transplanting procedure, they will be severed to prevent future girdling <br />of the plant. Every effort will be made to orient the tree or shrub in the same direction, <br />relative to the sun, as it was facing in the previous location. Plantings will be performed in <br />the fall by properly trained personnel. Serviceberry and mahogany planting densities will be <br />one plant every four linear feet (1/2 serviceberry, 1/2 mahogany) within a row. <br />g) Colowyo will place contour furrows immediately above approximately every third fabric row <br />(approximately every 66 feet). The trial will exhibit alternating bands of modified Sagebrush <br />Steppe mix (approximately 17 feet), fabric/containerized plantings (4-5 feet wide), modified <br />Sagebrush Steppe mix (approximately 12 feet), contour furrow (approximately 5 feet). This <br />pattern should allow for specific emphasis on containerized plantings establishment while <br />minimizing the risk of excessive erosion during the period of early establishment of the trial <br />area. <br />h) An "elk proof' exclusionary fence will be erected around the perimeter of zhe trial area to <br />protect it from ungulates immediately after planting activities are completed. <br />Collom — Rule 4, Page 34 Revision Date: 9/28/11 <br />Revision No.: PR -03 <br />