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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />weeds and grasses. Please see the "Expected Field Implementation Plan for Aspen/Tall Shrub <br />Field Trials" illustration below. <br />e) Commercially available 2-3 foot containerized aspen stock will be used for planting purposes <br />from the most similar source elevation available in the area. Based on the volume of <br />containerized plants included in the trial (550), and the expectations of success, a number of (300) <br />live aspen plants within the trial during 2016 will be considered a successful demonstration of <br />Coloywo's ability to proceed further with additional plantings. Supplemental planting of aspen <br />will be initiated in year 2012 should survival of the 2011 plantings be less than 350 stems/acre. <br />Alternative methods for demonstrating compliance with the establishment of aspen habitat in <br />South Taylor will be initiated with the Colorado Division of Wildlife during 2013, should failure <br />of this trial continue. <br />f) Aspen will be placed through the weed barrier by hand (or by mechanical means if practical <br />and economically feasible) as per best practices with regards to depth, etc. Proper planting holes <br />are important in transplant survival. Holes should be two to three times wider than the root ball. If <br />the soil is clay and the sides of the hole become glazed during digging, the sides of the hole <br />should be roughened with a spade. Holes should be prewatered before planting in dry soils. This <br />prevents initial postplant water from migrating away from the root ball. Every effort will be made <br />to plant at the same depth that the tree or shrub was growing in its previous location. Damaged <br />roots will be clean-cut with a sharp blade prior to planting. If any circling or kinked roots are <br />discovered during the transplanting procedure, they will be severed to prevent future girdling of <br />the plant. Every effort will be made to orient the tree or shrub in the same direction, relative to the <br />sun, as it was facing in the previous location. Plantings will be performed in the fall by properly <br />trained personnel. Aspen planting densities will be one plant every four linear feet within a row. <br />g) Colowyo will place contour furrows immediately above approximately every third fabric row <br />(approximately every 66 feet). The trial will exhibit alternating bands of modified Sagebrush <br />Steppe mix (approximately 17 feet), fabric/containerized plantings (4-5 feet wide), modified <br />Sagebrush Steppe mix (approximately 17 feet), fabric/containerized plantings (4-5 feet), modified <br />Sagebrush Steppe mix (approximately 12 feet), contour furrow (approximately 5 feet). This <br />pattern should allow for specific emphasis on containerized plantings establishment while <br />minimizing the risk of excessive erosion during the period of early establishment of the trial area. <br />h) An "elk proof' exclusionary fence will be erected around the perimeter of the entire trial area <br />to protect it from ungulates. <br />i) As this area will not be receiving supplemental watering, in the event of stand failure the area <br />will revert back to sagebrush steppe for purposes of Phase III bond release in the future, with the <br />exception that the requirement for 50% of the required 375 shrubs in this area be big sagebrush <br />(Section 4.15.8), this requirement will reasonably be dropped, due to the reduction in sagebrush <br />seed included in the mix applied. <br />2) Colowyo agrees to establish one small (one acre) tall shrub establishment site that that displays a <br />thicker topsoil condition. The location of this area will be in the immediate proximity of the South Taylor <br />X coal pod as portrayed below and on Map 28B. The location for this trial represents elevation and <br />aspect characteristics that are very similar to the Tall Shrub areas disturbed in the South Taylor area. <br />Slope characteristics are more moderate than the areas disturbed, but for purposes of implementing and <br />monitoring this trial it was determined essential that access and stability of the test location be <br />manageable. Actual results from the trial should yield information that can be used to apply additional <br />stability and/or sediment control measures on larger areas if this attempt is successful. <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 />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-50 Revision Date: 8/28/17 <br />Revision No.: TR -115 <br />