2016-10-03_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (2)

Home Browse Search

RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Revegetation will specifically target livestockrg azing and sage grouse brood rearing habitat. Both of these, in combination, are the two primary components of the joint Post -mining Rangeland/Fish and Wildlife Habitat Land Use. Collom mining areas designed to target livestock grazing (with benefits to wildlife populations) will comprise approximately 60% to 80% of the reclaimed landscapes. These areas will principally occupy more steeply sloping ground (>10%) where the grassland community is necessary to preclude excessive erosion, especially from snowmelt. Based on evaluation of the post -mining topography, the remaining approximately 41% (Map 46) of the reclaimed landscape will afford flat or gently sloping surfaces (<10%) with reduced exposure to erosion. It is on the majority of these less exposed more gentle slopes whereby development of wildlife conducive habitats (sagebrush steppe) can be attempted (only on larger blocks of land - e.g., >5 acres) without overly compromising stability. In this regard, sagebrush communities targeting sage grouse brood -rearing habitat will be attempted in earnest on approximately 30% (or more) of the Collom mining area reclaimed landscape, with the goal of achieving success on at least one-half of this acreage or as otherwise agreed upon between Colowyo and CDRMS (Please see Map 46 for specific areas proposed for the sagebrush steppe and grassland plant communitites). The principal basis of PERA is to rebuild the foundation conditions of target vegetation communities taking into account the appropriate aspects, slopes, and topographic features of the reclaimed landscape. In this manner, targeted communities, as opposed to more simple grasslands will be more strongly encouraged. Potential reclamation techniques to be applied to facilitate the targeting of sagebrush communities include, but are not limited to: 1) taking advantage of site-specific opportunities for development of convex and concave surfaces to encourage snow entrapment; 2) development of small berms along the contour and somewhat perpendicular to prevailing winds, also to encourage snow entrapment; 3) use of native species; 4) severe reduction of grasses in the seed mix; 5) use of only bunch grasses for those taxa planted with sagebrush; 6) sharp increases in the amount of sagebrush seed to be used; 7) extra care to obtain the correct subspecies of sagebrush (vaseyana pauc flora) with a seed source as close as possible to the Axial Basin; 8) extra care to place seed at the ideal time of year (immediately prior to the first major snowfall event; 9) placement of thin layers of topsoil over overburden; 10) possible placement of zero topsoil; 11) possible placement of thin layers of overburden over topsoil; 12) use of specialized seed placement equipment to obtain correct planting depths; 13) use of seedbed preparation equipment and techniques to encourage sagebrush emergence; and 14) interseeding of additional grasses and/or forbs (only where necessary) following a period of 2 — 3 years of growth by shrubs. All of these possible techniques / metrics are designed to diminish the competitive advantage of grasses, at least in the early stages of establishment and growth. The primary "foundation -building" element for this approach is the ability to replace variable topsoil depths and/or quality of soil materials depending on site-specific needs, the discretion of the field construction supervisor, and the capabilities (or lack thereof) of available materials and equipment. In summary, application of PERA on "shrub -favorable areas" would be based on the community development contributory factors of. 1) soil quantity, quality, and replacement depth; 2) aspect, slope, and landform; 3) documented and expected performance of various floral species; 4) revegetation metrics; and 5) the target post -mining land use. In this manner, reclamation and resultant developing communities will be encouraged to follow a more natural path to maturation and successional progression as opposed to more historically utilized grassland favorable approaches that should only be applied to the remaining 60% to 80% of reclaimed ground (sloping areas). However, there will likely be instances, if not an overall need, to incorporate managerial practices to encourage or protect positive recruitment to the shrub populations. Such management may include the following steps: Use of elevated quantities of sagebrush seed within the grassland target areas, and placement of that seed in a manner to encourage sagebrush emergence. Collom — Rule 4, Page 24 Revision Date: 4/18/16 Revision No.: PR -04