2018-07-09_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (16)

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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS the trial (550), a combined number of (300) serviceberry and chokecherry plants within the trial (five years after implementation) will be considered a successful demonstration of Colowyo's ability to establish these species. Supplemental planting of serviceberry and chokecherry should be initiated the year following initial trial establishment should initial survival of the plantings be very low. f) Containerized serviceberry and chokecherry plants will be placed through the weed barrier fabric by hand (or by mechanical means if practical and economically feasible) as per best practices with regards to depth, etc. Proper planting holes are important in transplant survival. Holes should be two to three times wider than the root ball. If the soil is clay and the sides of the hole become glazed during digging, the sides of the hole should be roughened with a spade. Holes should be prewatered before planting in dry soils. This prevents initial postplant water from migrating away from the root ball. Every effort will be made to plant at the same depth that the tree or shrub was growing in its previous location. Damaged roots will be clean-cut with a sharp blade prior to planting. If any circling or kinked roots are discovered during the transplanting procedure, they will be severed to prevent future girdling of the plant. Every effort will be made to orient the tree or shrub in the same direction, relative to the sun, as it was facing in the previous location. Plantings will be performed in the fall by properly trained personnel. Serviceberry and chokecherry planting densities will be one plant every four linear feet (1/2 serviceberry, 1/2 chokecherry) within a row. g) Colowyo will place contour furrows immediately above approximately every third fabric row (approximately every 66 feet). The trial will exhibit alternating bands of modified Sagebrush Steppe mix (approximately 17 feet), fabric/containerized plantings (4-5 feet wide), modified Sagebrush Steppe mix (approximately 12 feet), contour furrow (approximately 5 feet). This pattern should allow for specific emphasis on containerized plantings establishment while minimizing the risk of excessive erosion during the period of early establishment of the trial area. h) An "elk proof' exclusionary fence will be erected around the perimeter of the trial area to protect it from ungulates immediately after planting activities are completed. i) In the event of stand failure the area will revert back to sagebrush steppe for the purposes of Phase III bond release in the future, and will be counted collectively with other sagebrush steppe areas to meet sample adequacy and reference area comparisons. 2) Colowyo established one small (one acre) tall shrub establishment site that that displays thin topsoil conditions. The location of this field trial is reclamation unit ST001 a) The area will be regraded in accordance with PMT requirements. Additional ripping of the overburden material will be conducted by a dozer to a depth of approximately four feet to ensure the material is in a loose condition, rough condition to encourage infiltration of rain/snowmelt and root development. Overburden with a significant course fragment component is desireable. b) The area will be tested for overburden suitability as per requirements. c) An approximate average of four inches of topsoil will be placed to replicate common topsoil depth conditions in the surrounding area in stands of this nature. Once the topsoil has been placed, it will be roughened with a disc (pulled by a dozer or other appropriate machine) to ensure the material is in a loose, rough condition to encourage infiltration of rain/snowmelt and root development. d) The Sagebrush Steppe mix will be modified to reduce the volume of "low shrubs" in favor of tall shrub components of the mix. The grasses currently included in the mix will also be reduced to minimize competition, while still providing some soil stabilization function. The entire trial area will be seeded with the modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix as seen below. In the event individual components of the mix are unavailable, guidance from the Division will be sought prior to implementation of the trial. Weedguard fabric or its equivalent will be placed in rows (at intervals of approximately 22 feet) and will be used to severely reduce competition between the South Taylor/Lower Wilson — Rule 4, Page 12 Revision Date: 4/7/17 Revision No.: RN -07