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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />side of the berm would ideally receive the grassland conducive mix owing to the steeper slope (4:1). For <br />easterly aspects, the grassland conducive mix would still need to be applied to the downhill 4:1 slope. As <br />this technique is developed and "proven ", modifications to seed mix placement can and should be made <br />as necessary. <br />2.05.4 (2)(e) Reclamation Revegetation <br />Colowyo has prepared this reclamation plan with the understanding that some aspects of current <br />reclamation practices are still in the development stages. Therefore, a degree of flexibility has been <br />provided to allow changes and modification as techniques are refined or expanded. Colowyo will <br />continue to evaluate the results of its reclamation plan each year in consultation with the Division and <br />take advantage of each opportunity to try new plant species and materials and new methods for seeding <br />and erosion control. The reclamation standards presented within Volume 15 apply specifically only to the <br />areas disturbed in the Collom Expansion area. This package does not seek to modify or overwrite any <br />standard or practice currently undertaken at the existing operation (Original permit area + South <br />Taylor /Lower Wilson expansion area). <br />Seed mixtures, revegetation metrics, and bond release protocols designed to target specific post- mining <br />land use components are presented within the context of this section (2.05.4) as well as the revegetation <br />requirements, Section 4.15. Reclamation occurring in the Collom area will focus on the replacement of <br />the pre- mining joint land use: 1) Rangeland (grassland for domestic livestock with wildlife benefit), and <br />2) Fish and Wildlife Habitat (specifically targeting sage grouse brood - rearing habitat, but also providing <br />benefit to the other endemic wildlife species in the area). The replacement of these two land use <br />subcomponents will be effected by replacement of two primary revegetation communities: 1) grassland <br />and 2) sagebrush steppe, respectively. <br />The revegetation philosophy utilizing a "prescribed ecological reclamation approach" (PERA), <br />(previously adopted within TR -72, and further modified by TR -82 and TR -84) will be applied to the <br />Collom area to facilitate creation of a wildlife habitat favorable vegetation community (sagebrush steppe) <br />among the more dominant grasslands necessary for livestock grazing and erosion control. Efforts <br />resulting from this approach will be subject to success criteria for bond release as detailed in Section 4.15. <br />Revegetation will specifically target livestock rg azing_(with wildlife benefit) and sage grouse brood <br />rearing habitat, both of which serve as the joint components of the Post -mine Land Use. Areas designed <br />to target livestock grazing (and utilization by wildlife) will comprise approximately 60% to 80% of the <br />reclaimed landscapes. These areas will principally occupy more steeply sloping ground ( >10% slope) <br />where the grassland community is necessary to preclude excessive erosion, especially from snowmelt <br />(Please see Map 46 - Collom Area Reclamation Plan Map). Based on a detailed evaluation of the post - <br />mining topography, the remaining approximately 37% (Map 19D) of the reclaimed landscape will exhibit <br />flat or gently sloping surfaces ( <10% slope) with reduced exposure to erosion. It is on the majority of <br />these less exposed more gentle slopes whereby development of wildlife favorable habitats (sagebrush <br />steppe) can be attempted. In this regard, sagebrush communities targeting sage grouse brood - rearing <br />habitat will be attempted in earnest on approximately 30% (or more) of the reclaimed landscape, with the <br />goal of achieving success on at least one -half of this acreage or as otherwise agreed upon between <br />Colowyo and CDRMS. Colowyo provides further description of areas to be targeted for sagebrush steppe <br />establishment later in this section, and describes instances when areas <10% slope will not be targeted for <br />sagebrush steppe establishment. <br />The principal basis of PERA is to rebuild the foundation conditions of target vegetation communities <br />taking into account the appropriate aspects, slopes, and topographic features of the reclaimed landscape. <br />In this manner, targeted communities, as opposed to more simple grasslands will be more strongly <br />encouraged. Potential reclamation techniques to be applied to facilitate the targetin g of sagebrush <br />Collom — Rule 2, Page 110 Revision Date: 9/28/11 <br />Revision No.: PR -03 <br />