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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
<br />For Phase 2 and Phase 3 bond release purposes, the field trial plots will be included in the
<br />vegetation "sampling universe" associated with the bond release block that includes the field trials.
<br />Due to the longer period of time associated with development of shrub dominated stands, the
<br />occurrence of "bare areas" within the field trial plots will not disqualify a bond release block or
<br />portion of the block from Phase 2 bond release. Presence of "bare areas" will be assessed by the
<br />Division for Phase 3 bond release, in accordance with the Bond Release Guidelines. Remedial
<br />measures determined to be necessary by the Division and the operator due to stand failure within
<br />the field trial areas will not reinitiate the bond liability period.
<br />In 2010, SL -05, a Phase III bond release application, was submitted by Colowyo. As a result of
<br />the onsite inspection by the Division, a minor revision, MR -103 was created to establish these
<br />shrub plots and their associated fencing as permanent, post -mining features.
<br />Buried Topsoil Test Plots
<br />In 2006, Colowyo planned to initiate a buried topsoil protocol to try to increase establishment of
<br />shrubs on the mine -site. Two, two -acre test plots were to be topsoiled and then covered with six
<br />inches of "benign", nutrient -poor overburden in the attempt to slow or delay emergence and growth
<br />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
<br />from each test plot. The constituents to be analyzed were texture, fertility, pH, percent coarse
<br />fragments, electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, selenium, and boron. To further
<br />encourage shrub growth, the seed mix was to be heavily weighted toward shrubs. The seed mixture
<br />that was to be used on the test plots is shown below.
<br />Seed Mix - Buried Topsoil Test Plot Seed Mix - Colowyo Mine - 2006
<br />Recommended
<br />s
<br />Species
<br />Synonym
<br />Common Name
<br />Seeds/ Ib.
<br />lbs. / acre
<br />sq. foot
<br />Agrapynondasystachyum
<br />Elymuslarxm/atusssp.lanceolatus
<br />Thickspike Wheatgrass
<br />154,000
<br />0.25
<br />0.88
<br />Agmpymn smidni
<br />Pasmpyrum smiffiv
<br />Western Wheatgrass
<br />110,000
<br />0.25
<br />0.63
<br />Agropyran SA -tum menne
<br />Pseudororgneria spicata sso inerme
<br />Beardless Bluebunch Wheatgrass
<br />117,000
<br />0.50
<br />1.34
<br />Agropyron hachyrvu/um
<br />Elymus trachycaulus ssp. tiachycaulus
<br />Slender Wheatgrass
<br />159,000
<br />0.50
<br />1.83
<br />Poa ampla
<br />Bia Blueorass
<br />882,000
<br />0.10
<br />2.02
<br />Subtotal =
<br />1.60
<br />6.71
<br />Achillea millifolium
<br />Western Yarrow
<br />2,770,000
<br />0.10
<br />6.36
<br />A
<br />Artemisia ludowd'ana
<br />Louisiana Sagewort
<br />33,600
<br />0.75
<br />0.58
<br />v
<br />Asterchikms
<br />Vrgulasterascendens
<br />Pacific Aster
<br />2,668,000
<br />0.10
<br />6.12
<br />Lrnum kwisri
<br />Lewis Flax
<br />293,000
<br />0.20
<br />1.35
<br />m
<br />Artemisia hidgida
<br />Fringed Sage
<br />4,536,000
<br />0.05
<br />5.21
<br />Penstemon strictus
<br />Rocky Mountain Penstenwn
<br />592,000
<br />0.201
<br />2.72
<br />Subtotal =
<br />1.40
<br />22.33
<br />Ame/arxhieralnifdra
<br />Saskatoon Serviceberry
<br />25,800
<br />1.50
<br />0.8
<br />Artemisa tridentata vaseyana
<br />Mountain Big Sagebrush
<br />2,500,000
<br />0.25
<br />14.35
<br />„
<br />Artemisia Cana
<br />Silver Sagebrush
<br />850,000
<br />0.75
<br />14.63
<br />Atripkxcanescens
<br />Fourwing Salthush
<br />52,000
<br />1.00
<br />1.19
<br />Cemodeslanata
<br />Wiinterfat
<br />56,700
<br />2.00
<br />2.60
<br />m
<br />ChrysoUiamnus nauseosus
<br />Rubber Rabbitbrush
<br />400,000
<br />0.50
<br />4.5
<br />Purshra tridentata
<br />Bitterbrush
<br />15,000
<br />3.00
<br />1.03
<br />Rosa woodsii
<br />Wood's Rose
<br />451300
<br />1.50
<br />1.5
<br />SymplyoncarposratundifolMus
<br />Mountain Snowberry
<br />75,000
<br />1.50
<br />2.54
<br />Subtotal =
<br />12.00
<br />43.44
<br />Total
<br />15.00
<br />72.48
<br />At the peak of each subsequent growing season, or shortly thereafter, for a period of at least 5
<br />years, these test plots were to be evaluated for emergent shrub density, ground cover by species,
<br />and a visual evaluation of surficial erosion. This data would be reported annually in the Annual
<br />Reclamation Report. If data shows that there is promise as a shrub conducive reclamation
<br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-54 Revision Date: 5/25/18
<br />Revision No.: RN -07
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