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RULE 2 PERMITS <br />Sagebrush steppe areas will by necessity be predominately smooth prior to seeding in order to <br />accommodate the special needs of the preferred seeding equipment to be utilized on those sites. <br />Another topsoil distribution technique that may be used in areas targeting Sagebrush Steppe would be the <br />development of low berms using emplaced topsoil with the aid of equipment such as a road grader (see <br />Volume 1 Figure 2.05-6). For ease of discussion, such berms could be termed "soil fences". These berms <br />would act as natural snowfences trapping wind blown snow to aid sagebrush emergence and <br />development. In this circumstance, a designed amount of topsoil (e.g. 4 inches) would be redistributed <br />over a target area, however, berms would be developed utilizing only the topsoil resource. Where upper <br />layers of topsoil have been pushed aside, a depth of remaining topsoil may be in the 2-4 inch range that <br />should then help to encourage sagebrush emergence while discouraging vigorous grass growth. Where <br />topsoil is bermed, a peak depth up to 16 inches may result. In these thicker topsoil areas, other taxa <br />within the seed mix (or alternate mix) should provide additional competitive advantage. It is critical that <br />berms be constructed on the contour to preclude development of preferential erosion pathways. It is also <br />necessary that berms only be constructed where they will be approximately perpendicular to the <br />prevailing winds, otherwise there is little benefit to be gained. Furthermore, berms would have to exhibit <br />low and rounded shoulders to allow seeding equipment to operate properly. Implementation of <br />techniques such as this must necessarily occur as a result of site-specific opportunity (as opposed to plan) <br />given a variety of factors, not the least of which is availability of equipment and personnel. <br />As indicated in Volume 1 Figure 2.05-6, the dimensions (in cross-section) would need to be based on the <br />width of seeding equipment to facilitate proper seeding operations, although the widths indicated may be <br />changed in the field, especially given aspect differences. In this regard, sagebrush conducive seed mixes <br />would be applied to the shallow soil areas as well as the uphill -facing side of the berm (west -facing <br />slopes). This is the area that will receive maximum benefit from entrapped snow. The downhill -facing <br />side of the berm would ideally receive the grassland conducive mix owing to the steeper slope (4:1). For <br />easterly aspects, the grassland conducive mix would still need to be applied to the downhill 4:1 slope. As <br />this technique is developed and "proven", modifications to seed mix placement can and should be made <br />as necessary. <br />2.05.4 (2)(e) Reclamation Revegetation <br />Colowyo has prepared this reclamation plan with the understanding that some aspects of current <br />reclamation practices are still in the development stages. Therefore, a degree of flexibility has been <br />provided to allow changes and modification as techniques are refined or expanded. Colowyo will <br />continue to evaluate the results of its reclamation plan each year in consultation with the Division and <br />take advantage of each opportunity to try new plant species and materials and new methods for seeding <br />and erosion control. The reclamation standards presented within Volume 15 apply specifically only to the <br />areas disturbed in the Collom Expansion area. This package does not seek to modify or overwrite any <br />standard or practice currently undertaken at the existing operation (Original permit area + South <br />Taylor/Lower Wilson expansion area). <br />Seed mixtures, revegetation metrics, and bond release protocols designed to target specific post -mining <br />land use components are presented within the context of this section (2.05.4) as well as the revegetation <br />requirements, Section 4.15. Reclamation occurring in the Collom area will focus on the replacement of <br />the pre -mining joint land use: 1) Rangeland (grassland for domestic livestock with wildlife benefit), and <br />2) Fish and Wildlife Habitat (specifically targeting sage grouse brood -rearing habitat, but also providing <br />benefit to the other endemic wildlife species in the area). The replacement of these two land use <br />subcomponents will be effected by replacement of two primary revegetation communities: 1) grassland <br />and 2) sagebrush steppe, respectively. <br />Collom — Rule 2, Page 89 Revision Date: 11/16/16 <br />Revision No.: MR -166 <br />