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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />h) An "elk proof' exclusionary fence will be erected around the perimeter of entire trial <br />area to protect it from ungulates. <br />i) In the event of stand failure the area will revert back to sagebrush steppe for purposes <br />of Phase III bond release in the future, with the exception that the requirement for 50% of <br />the required 375 shrubs in this area be big sagebrush (Section 4.15.8), this requirement will <br />reasonably be dropped, due to the reduction in sagebrush seed included in the mix applied. <br />3) Colowyo agrees to establish one small (one acre) tall shrub establishment site with thin topsoil <br />conditions. The location of this area will be in the immediate proximity of the South Taylor X <br />coal pod as portrayed below and on Map 28B. The location for this trial represents elevation and <br />aspect characteristics that are very similar to the majority of the tall shrub areas disturbed in the <br />South Taylor area. Slope characteristics are more moderate than the areas disturbed, but for <br />purposes of implementing and monitoring this trial it was determined essential that access and <br />stability of the test location be manageable. Actual results from the trial should yield information <br />that can be used to apply additional stability and/or sediment control measures on larger areas if <br />this attempt is successful. <br />a) The area will be regraded in accordance with PMT requirements. Additional ripping of <br />the overburden material will be conducted by a dozer to a depth of approximately four feet <br />to ensure the material is in a loose, rough condition to encourage infiltration of <br />rain/snowmelt and root development. Overburden with a significant coarse fragment <br />component is desireable. <br />b) The area will be tested for overburden suitability as per requirements. <br />c) An approximate average of four inches of topsoil will be placed to replicate common <br />topsoil depth conditions in the surrounding area in stands of this nature. Once the topsoil <br />has been placed, it will be roughened with a disc (pulled by a dozer or other appropriate <br />machine) to ensure the material is in a loose, rough condition to encourage infiltration of <br />rain/snowmelt and root development. <br />d) The Sagebrush Steppe mix has been modified to reduce the volume of "low shrubs" in <br />favor of tall shrub components of the mix. The grasses currently included in the mix were <br />reduced to minimize competition, while still providing some soil stabilization function. <br />The entire trial area will be seeded with the modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix as seen below. <br />In the event individual components of the mix are unavailable, guidance from the Division <br />will be sought prior to implementation of the trial. Weedguard fabric or it's equivalent will <br />be placed in rows (at intervals of approximately 22 feet) and will be used to severely reduce <br />competition between the containerized plantings and annual weeds and grasses. Please see <br />the "Expected Field Implementation Plan for Aspen/Tall Shrub Field Trials" illustration <br />below. <br />e) Containerized 2-3 foot serviceberry and mahogany plants will utilized from the most <br />similar source elevation available in the region available. Based on the volume of <br />containerized plants included in the trial (550), and the expectations of success, a combined <br />number of (300) serviceberry and mahogony plants within the trial during 2016 (from seed <br />and live plantings) will be considered a successful demonstration of Coloywo's ability to <br />proceed further with additional plantings. Supplemental planting of serviceberry and <br />mahogony will be initiated in year 2012 should survival of the 2011 plantings be less than <br />350 stems/acre. Alternative methods for demonstrating compliance with the establishment <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-53 Revision Date: 9/19/18 <br />Revision No.: MR -193 <br />