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case-by-case basis, if species in the primary mix are not available. Table 2.05-9 is a shrub mix, <br />to be planted in designated shrub -only planting areas. None of the species proposed for planting <br />are listed as poisonous or noxious plants. <br />CCC has submitted information which shows that the introduced species are desirable and <br />necessary to achieve the approved post -mining land uses of rangeland and wildlife habitat. The <br />introduced species make up less than 7 percent of the total mix on a seed per square foot basis, <br />and are considered desirable and necessary to provide a component of leguminous forbs. Prior to <br />2002, introduced species made up a significantly higher percentage of the primary seed mix, <br />based both on relative number of introduced species, and seeds per square foot in the mix. <br />Seeding of forbs, shrubs, and grasses will be accomplished primarily by drilling during the fall, <br />with broadcast seeding of wet or steep slopes. Small seeded species such as sagebrush are to be <br />dribbled on the surface using open drill drop tubes, when drill seeding is employed. Bare root, <br />containerized and mature stock and shrub clumps will be used to establish shrub and tree species. <br />When necessary, chemical fallowing will be used to eliminate vegetative competition, and <br />fencing will be used to eliminate animal predation. Grazing of reclaimed sites will not be <br />initiated without Division approval. <br />Inclusion of aggressive introduced grass species in the primary seed mix prior to 2002 resulted in <br />large areas dominated by a relatively small number of species, particularly smooth brome and <br />intermediate wheatgrass, with relatively low diversity and low woody plant density. TR -52 seed <br />mix changes approved in April 2002 have resulted in improvements in diversity and woody plant <br />density. <br />Additional specialized revegetation strategies have been approved to enhance vegetative <br />diversity and woody plant establishment on the reclaimed landscape. Beginning in 2010, CCC <br />conducts variable topsoil depth replacement. Topsoil replacement depth is thinnest (0-4 inches <br />deep) on the ridge tops and flatter (less than 10 percent slope) terrain. Steeper slopes will have <br />topsoil increasing from thin at the top of the slope to deeper depths down the length of the slope. <br />The approved seed mix to be planted into the variable topsoil areas reflect the planned <br />community re-establishment, sagebrush steppe, or grassland. CCC worked with the Division and <br />Colorado Division of Wildlife (renamed the Division of Parks and Wildlife in 2011) to formulate <br />improved seed mixes and initiate a shrub establishment study (TR84). The shrub study was <br />installed in November 2011. Results of this study will contribute to revegetation methods in the <br />future. <br />C. Mulching <br />In the original permit application, Colowyo proposed that mulch was not required on slopes less <br />than 4:1. The Division approved this proposal at that time with erosion control prior to <br />PR -04, Colowyo Coal Mine C1981-019 54 August 2016 <br />