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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />reclamation plan. Because of this revision and the reasonable promise of success for the new proposed <br />procedures, construction of these test plots has been placed "on -hold" until as such time as they may <br />become necessary. <br />Aspen and Tall Shrub Establishment Areas <br />As a result of negotiations with CDOW and DRMS regarding approval of TR -72, and the development of <br />TR -84, Colowyo has committed to implementing three field trials. Based upon initial estimates of <br />disturbance to aspen and tall shrub habitats in the South Taylor area, a determination was made that the <br />establishment of 20 acres of aspen habitat and 20 acres of tall shrub habitat (combination of thin and thick <br />topsoil locations) be established in the South Taylor reclamation area (mining disturbance area). As a <br />result of subsequent changes to the mine plan, approximately (7% or 14 acres) of the aspen and (41% or <br />347 acres) of the tall shrub habitat previously targeted for disturbance will no longer be affected. A <br />reduced area of (18.5) acres of aspen and (12.0) acres of tall shrubs will now be pursued at Colowyo. The <br />field trials are meant to provide information to Colowyo, DRMS and the CDOW about the appropriate <br />expectations for success/failure of establishing these habitat types at Colowyo in the context of a ten year <br />bond clock and also to provide some baseline information that can be used to modify practices and the <br />plant materials used to meet the current expectations (acres of each habitat type identified above). <br />Another potential use of the information provided by these trials may be to provide Colowyo with an <br />avenue for relief of the aspen and tall shrub establishment area expectations for South Taylor should <br />efforts prove to be unsuccessful despite the incorporation of best management practices. <br />The standard interim revegetation monitoring techniques and practices (performed by a third party) <br />applied to the other reclamation areas at Colowyo will be utilized annually to measure progress of the <br />trials through and beyond 2016, when Colowyo, DRMS and CDOW will revisit the expectations for <br />further larger scale establishment of these habitat types once reclamation activities begin in earnest in the <br />South Taylor area (currently expected post 2017). All data will be captured, collated and presented as <br />part of the Annual Reclamation Report provided to DRMS. Alternative methods for complying with the <br />aspen and tall shrub establishment areas may be negotiated with CDOW after the 2013 growing season <br />should initial 2011 planting and potential subsequent 2012 re-seeding/replanting efforts prove <br />unsuccessful. <br />1) Colowyo agrees to establish one small (one acre) aspen establishment area on associated disturbance in <br />an area where the original lithology has been previously disturbed. The location of this area will be in the <br />immediate proximity of the South Taylor X coal pod as portrayed below and on Map 28B. The location <br />for this trial represents elevation and aspect characteristics that are very similar to the aspen areas <br />disturbed in the South Taylor area. Slope characteristics are more moderate than the native areas <br />disturbed, but for purposes of implementing and monitoring this trial it was determined essential that <br />access and stability of the test location be manageable. Actual results from the trial should yield <br />information that can be used to apply additional stability and/or sediment control measures on larger areas <br />if this attempt is successful. The specific implementation plan of the site is as follows: <br />a) The area will be regraded in accordance with PMT requirements. <br />b) The area will be tested for overburden suitability as per requirements. <br />c) At least 48 inches of topsoil will be placed to replicate common topsoil depth conditions in the <br />surrounding area in stands of this nature. Once the topsoil has been placed, it will be cross -ripped <br />with a dozer or by other appropriate means to ensure the material is in a loose, rough condition to <br />encourage infiltration of rain/snowmelt and root development. <br />d) The entire trial area will be seeded with the modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix as seen below. <br />Weedguard fabric or it's equivalent will be placed in rows (at intervals of approximately 22 feet) <br />and will be used to severely reduce competition between the containerized plantings and annual <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-49 Revision Date: 8/28/17 <br />Revision No.: TR -115 <br />