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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br /> The introduced species were included in the mixture because they were thought to be necessary to <br /> control erosion and because they provide forage for wildlife and livestock on the reclaimed area. <br /> The research at Colowyo by the Colorado State University (CSU) Agronomy Department has <br /> documented the superiority of the introduced species for revegetation purposes compared with <br /> other species under similar conditions. The CSU study and two progress reports are set forth in <br /> Exhibit 10,Vegetation Information. None of the introduced species are poisonous or noxious. For <br /> further discussion of the value of introduced species for obtaining the desired post-mining <br /> vegetative community of the same seasonal variety and lifeform of the pre-mined area, refer to <br /> Section 2.05. <br /> For post-2008 revegetation, the seed mix is comprised entirely of native species with the specific <br /> exceptions described below. Introduced species would only be utilized in four possible <br /> circumstances. The first would be reclaimed areas exhibiting a post-mining land use of pastureland <br /> (specifically targeting domestic livestock grazing and/or haying operations). The second would <br /> be in small areas potentially susceptible to excessive erosion where at the discretion of Colowyo's <br /> reclamation coordinator, introduced species would provide the necessary protection. (Prior to use <br /> of aggressive taxa to combat areas that are highly susceptible to erosion, an MR or TR (as <br /> appropriate) will be obtained from CDRMS to address such circumstances.) The third possible <br /> circumstance would be the inclusion of orchard grass at elevated densities in certain locations <br /> designed to encourage elk away from other sites. (It has been documented that elk specifically <br /> seek this species for consumption.) The fourth circumstance would be inclusion of modest <br /> quantities of small burnett or nitrogen fixing legumes such as cicer milkvetch or alfalfa as <br /> supplemental forage for deer, elk, and livestock. In addition, cicer milkvetch has proven to be an <br /> excellent "habitat"plant for insects that are very important to foraging sage grouse chicks during <br /> the brooding period. <br /> 4.15.3 Seeding and Planting <br /> The seeding and planting of the disturbed area will be conducted during the first normal period for <br /> favorable planting conditions after final preparation for seeding or planting. The planting period <br /> and other revegetation metrics for Colowyo are set forth in Section 2.05.4. <br /> 4.15.4 Mulching and Other Soil Stabilizing Practices <br /> As addressed in Section 2.05.4,Colowyo currently does not mulch,chisel plow,or terrace,because <br /> sufficient surface roughness survives the topsoil laydown process to maintain the appropriate <br /> roughness for modeled sediment control conditions. When necessary, chisel plowing, discing, <br /> terracing and/or contour furrows could/would be utilized to stabilize, reduce compaction and <br /> increase the moisture retention of graded topsoiled areas. Chisel plowing is the most preferred <br /> method of initiating surface roughness at Colowyo, beyond the roughness created through topsoil <br /> laydown activities. Areas less than 10% slope at Colowyo have been identified as potentially <br /> targeted areas for the Sagebrush Steppe land use and will essentially require a smooth seedbed <br /> surface. If these Sagebrush Steppe areas occur in large patches in the future and encompass long <br /> sweeping slopes, moderate contour furrows will be established to mitigate any future sheet flow <br /> and loss of the topsoil resource. Efforts will be made to establish reclamation blocks along the <br /> contour of slopes in order to eliminate the loss of the topsoil resource onto spoil areas. All other <br /> Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-40 Revision Date: 12/20/19 <br /> Revision No.: TR-135 <br />