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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />remedial treatments as warranted, according to the rill/gully management and noxious weed management <br />plans set forth in the permit application. <br />Due to the slow growth characteristics of woody plant species, and the importance of tracking long-term <br />effects of the treatments on woody plant establishment and plant community development, it is planned <br />that the plots will be maintained and periodically monitored through the bond liability period. Results <br />will be provided in the appropriate annual report. <br />Bond Release Concerns Relative to Shrub Plots <br />For Phase 2 and Phase 3 bond release purposes, the field trial plots will be included in the vegetation <br />"sampling universe" associated with the bond release block that includes the field trials. Due to the <br />longer period of time associated with development of shrub dominated stands, the occurrence of "bare <br />areas" within the field trial plots will not disqualify a bond release block or portion of the block from <br />Phase 2 bond release. Presence of "bare areas" will be assessed by the Division for Phase 3 bond release, <br />in accordance with the Bond Release Guidelines. Remedial measures determined to be necessary by the <br />Division and the operator due to stand failure within the field trial areas will not reinitiate the bond <br />liability period. <br />In 2010, SL -05, a Phase III bond release application, was submitted by Colowyo. As a result of the onsite <br />inspection by the Division, a minor revision, MR -103 was created to establish these shrub plots and their <br />associated fencing as permanent, post -mining features. <br />Buried Topsoil Test Plots <br />In 2006 under MR -83, Colowyo planned to initiate a buried topsoil protocol to try to increase <br />establishment of shrubs on the mine -site. Two, two -acre test plots were to be topsoiled and then covered <br />with six inches of "benign", nutrient -poor overburden in the attempt to slow or delay emergence and <br />growth by competing grasses and annual weeds, thereby allowing shrub seed additional time to break <br />dormancy and emerge. Prior to seeding taking place one composite soil sample was to be taken from <br />each test plot. The constituents to be analyzed were texture, fertility, pH, percent coarse fragments, <br />electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, selenium, and boron. To further encourage shrub <br />growth, the seed mix was to be heavily weighted toward shrubs. The seed mixture that was to be used on <br />the test plots is shown below. <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-47 Revision Date: 1/31/18 <br />Revision No.: TR -119 <br />