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Test Plot Locations <br /> Test plots will be established at the same elevation and aspect (northeast facing slopes and <br /> northwest facing slopes) as the planned -reclamation. Test plots will be run for a minimum of <br /> two years with the goal of running for four years. Because of schedule considerations, plots will <br /> not be in the same location as reclamation rather plots will be adjacent to reclamation but with <br /> similar topography, elevation, and aspect. - <br /> Test Plot Protection <br /> Test plots will be secured with wire fencing (minimum 5 feet height) to keep wildlife out. The <br /> fence will have a gate for access. <br /> Growth Medium <br /> • Overburden material: HDR observed vegetation growing directly in the weathered fine- <br /> grain sedimentary overburden material at the site. If this material can support re-vegetation, <br /> then it might be possible to avoid or minimize importing material. <br /> • Compost or biosolids (organic source): A local source of compost or biosolids will be used <br /> and blended with overburden material. Several rates will be evaluated. <br /> • Too soil and fill: Little top soil exist on-site. One important objective the test plots is to <br /> evaluate the ability of the overburden material to support vegetation and to determine if an <br /> organic source is needed to support plant growth. <br /> The overburden material or organic/overburden mix will be placed on test plots to simulate the <br /> placement of such material during reclamation. <br /> Number of Test Plots and Setup <br /> Four test plots with two subplots per test plot (8 total subplots) will be used (Table 1). Proposed <br /> treatments are as follows: <br /> • Treatment 1 (T1)— 12 inches of overburden only— placement of on-site overburden <br /> representative of material to be generated during reclamation and consistent with the <br /> material observed supporting vegetation at the site. <br /> • Treatment 2 (T2) — 12 inches of overburden with 5 percent volume organic—overburden <br /> and organic source will be mixed. Organic source will be either compost or biosolids. <br /> • Treatment 3 (T3) — 12 inches of overburden with 15 percent volume organic <br /> • Treatment 4 (T4) — 12 inches of overburden with inorganic fertilizer <br /> The inorganic fertilizer addition would be based on soil (overburden material) test <br /> recommendations from the Colorado State University and would likely be a nitrogen and <br /> phosphorus based fertilizer. <br /> Fertilizer will only be added to T4 plots. However, if soil test reports recommend other soil <br /> amendments (e.g. addition of lime), then HDR will evaluate the need for adding amendments to <br /> all plots at same rate. <br /> Site Preparation and Seeding <br /> Following placement of overburden and organics, the surface will be lightly scarified (for these <br /> plots likely using hand tools such a hoe and garden rake) to allow for suitable surface bed for <br /> hdrinc.com River Quarry at Parkcenter,412 E Parkcenter Blvd Suite 100,Boise, ID 83706-6659 <br /> (208)387-7000 <br /> 2 <br />