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pasture, and native rangelands exist both on the permit area and in the general vicinity <br /> of the loadout. Soils associated with the Dry Creek drainage tend to be alkaline clay <br /> loams and loams. Plant species found in the area are adapted to saline and alkaline <br /> conditions. <br /> Approximately 70 acres were revegetated with a temporary seed mix following <br /> construction of the loadout and rail loop facilities (1978). Plant species present in the <br /> revegetated areas include intermediate wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass, western <br /> wheatgrass, slender wheatgrass, Russian wildrye, timothy, alfalfa, and yellow sweet <br /> clover. <br /> Adjacent and undisturbed lands tend to have a high incidence of shrubs. Heavy use by <br /> livestock grazing has aided in the increase of shrub densities. Postmining vegetation <br /> communities will be: wildlife habitat, dryland pasture, improved pasture, cropland and <br /> rangeland. Due to the narrow configuration of the area designated as rangeland <br /> approximately 200-250 ft wide), no woody plant density standard will be imposed on <br /> the rangeland area. The Division has received confirmation from the Colorado Division <br /> of Wildlife in a letter dated March 10, 1993 that the absence of a woody plant <br /> component in the rangeland area would not be detrimental to wildlife use and would <br /> increase the " edge" effect along adjacent shrublands. <br /> Four seed mixes will be used in the Loadout area. Each mix has been formulated for <br /> adaptation to a particular land use and location for which it will be planted. HGT <br /> proposes to include an introduced legume, alfalfa, in the rangeland seed mix. The <br /> Division approved the use of a less aggressive species of alfalfa, such as Medicago <br /> falcata, in small quantities in the seed mix. <br /> An additional seed mixture is approved for a portion of the TAHR: Seed mix No. 5. <br /> Seed mix No. 5 is designated for reclaimed lowland/meadow areas within the TAHR <br /> corridor. The mix has been designed for the wet saline or alkaline conditions and heavy <br /> textures soils which are likely to be present within this area. In particular, the western <br /> end of the TAHR corridor and many of the drainages were wet and saline/alkaline prior <br /> to construction of the TAHR. Given the uncertainty of the future of the TAHR and the <br /> unknown cropping needs in 2030 when this road is designated to be reclaimed, the <br /> following stipulation was added to the permit: <br /> Stipulation No. 9: Prior to initiation of reclamation of the Tie -Across Haul Road, the <br /> permittee must submit and receive approval of a technical revision to update the <br /> revegetation plan for the cropland areas to comply with Rule 2. 05. 4(2)(e). This plan <br /> must include a description of the measures proposed to be used to determine <br /> revegetation success for the cropland area in accordance with Rule 4. 15. 7(2) and Rule <br /> 4. 15. 9. <br /> Drill seeding will be the preferred method of planting. Broadcast or hydroseeding will <br /> be employed where steep slopes or small areas limit accessibility of the seed drill. <br /> Mulching will be achieved by use of a cover crop of winter wheat or barley. HGT has <br /> 25 <br />