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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />meant to provide information to Colowyo, DRMS and the CDOW about the appropriate <br />expectations for success/failure of establishing these habitat types at Colowyo in the context of a <br />ten year bond clock and also to provide some baseline information that can be used to modify <br />practices and the plant materials used to meet the current expectations (acres of each habitat type <br />identified above). Another potential use of the information provided by these trials may be to <br />provide Colowyo with an avenue for relief of the aspen and tall shrub establishment area <br />expectations for South Taylor should efforts prove to be unsuccessful despite the incorporation of <br />best management practices. <br />The standard interim revegetation monitoring techniques and practices (performed by a third party) <br />applied to the other reclamation areas at Colowyo will be utilized annually to measure progress of <br />the trials through and beyond 2016, when Colowyo, DRMS and CPW will revisit the expectations <br />for further larger scale establishment of these habitat types once reclamation activities begin in <br />earnest in the South Taylor area (currently expected post 2017). All data will be captured, collated <br />and presented as part of the Annual Reclamation Report provided to DRMS. Alternative methods <br />for complying with the aspen and tall shrub establishment areas may be negotiated with CPW after <br />the 2013 growing season should initial 2011 planting and potential subsequent 2012 re- <br />seeding/replanting efforts prove unsuccessful. <br />1) Colowyo agrees to establish one small (one acre) aspen establishment area on associated <br />disturbance in an area where the original lithology has been previously disturbed. The location of <br />this area will be in the immediate proximity of the South Taylor X coal pod as portrayed below <br />and on Map 28B. The location for this trial represents elevation and aspect characteristics that are <br />very similar to the aspen areas disturbed in the South Taylor area. Slope characteristics are more <br />moderate than the native areas disturbed, but for purposes of implementing and monitoring this <br />trial it was determined essential that access and stability of the test location be manageable. Actual <br />results from the trial should yield information that can be used to apply additional stability and/or <br />sediment control measures on larger areas if this attempt is successful. The specific <br />implementation plan of the site is as follows: <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 <br />in the surrounding area in stands of this nature. Once the topsoil has been placed, it will <br />be cross -ripped with a dozer or by other appropriate means to ensure the material is in a <br />loose, rough condition to encourage infiltration of rain/snowmelt and root development. <br />d) The entire trial area will be seeded with the modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix as seen <br />below. Weedguard fabric or it's equivalent will be placed in rows (at intervals of <br />approximately 22 feet) and will be used to severely reduce competition between the <br />containerized plantings and annual weeds and grasses. Please see the "Expected Field <br />Implementation Plan for Aspen/Tall Shrub Field Trials" illustration below. <br />e) Commercially available 2-3 foot containerized aspen stock will be used for planting <br />purposes from the most similar source elevation available in the area. Based on the volume <br />of containerized plants included in the trial (550), and the expectations of success, a number <br />of (300) live aspen plants within the trial during 2016 will be considered a successful <br />demonstration of Coloywo's ability to proceed further with additional plantings. <br />Supplemental planting of aspen will be initiated in year 2012 should survival of the 2011 <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-50 Revision Date: 9/19/18 <br />Revision No.: MR -193 <br />