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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br /> <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-41 Revision Date: 12/14/22 <br /> Revision No.: MR-245 <br />The status of each tree or shrub was evaluated in 2012 through 2016. Trees and shrubs that “were <br />observed to be dead” during the evaluation effort in August 2012 needed to be replaced (one-time <br />replacement). Replacement of dead plants occurred in November 2012. During the final evaluation <br />in 2016, no quaking aspen trees in Treatment 1 were observed to be alive. In Treatment 2, no <br />serviceberry and 42 individuals of the chokecherry (15%) were observed to be alive in 2016. In <br />Treatment 3, 143 individuals of the serviceberry (52%) and 147 individuals of the mountain <br />mahogany (54%) were observed to be alive in 2016. The unfavorable results of the aspen and tall <br />shrub trials (documented in annual reporting to the Division) have prompted Colowyo to undertake <br />additional efforts as outlined below. <br /> <br />As a result of these unsuccessful test plots, Colowyo intends to design and implement new field <br />trials which draw upon success at Trapper and Seneca IIW. Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. (Cedar <br />Creek) has conducted a literature review to support Colowyo in achieving revegetation success <br />criteria pertaining to tall shrub establishment. This literature review aimed to optimize success at <br />Colowyo by synthesizing the successes and challenges of other efforts both at Colowyo and in the <br />region. <br /> <br />Based on these findings, Colowyo identified areas of snow accumulation during the winter <br />(November 2019 – February 2020). These seventeen test areas are scattered throughout recently <br />reclaimed areas in East and West Pit and will be implemented in a manner to optimize successful <br />tall shrub establishment. Please see Figure 4.15-1 for approximate tall shrub test plot locations. <br />For the most part, these are small (~0.1 acres) areas which accumulate snow in the winter months <br />and as a result improve seasonal plant available water through snow-capture. Final siting of the <br />tall shrub test plots will be based on additional snow drift data yet to be acquired. <br /> <br />The first step will be to create some topsoil mounding for additional structure for preceipation <br />retention. The test areas will then be planted wtih containerized Planting / tubelings as establishing <br />tall shrubs from seed was not successful at either Colowyo or Trapper. Since the test sites are <br />located in upland areas the following species will be considered for planting: <br /> <br /> Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) <br /> Chokecherry (Padus virginiana ssp. melanocarpa) <br /> Skunkbrush sumac (Rhus trilobata) <br /> Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) <br /> Snowberry (Symphoricarpos sp.) <br /> <br />The planting of tubelings will not occur in the middle of winter or summer and will not exceed <br />one tubeling per ten square feet. Fencing will be used to decrease herbivory, which will likely be <br />crucial, at least during the first few years while tall shrubs are establishing. The fencing employed <br />will be at least six feet in height, and will be of a type to ensure large mammals such as deer and <br />elk cannot enter the trial area. Fencing will be removed once the tall shrubs are mature enough to <br />handle browsing, or fencing may be retained at the discretion of the landowner. At a minimum, it <br />will be removed prior to Phase III release of a particular reclamation area. <br /> <br />Native soil, collected from the locally source ecosystems on or directly adjacent to Colowyo Mine <br />exhibiting similar tall shrubs species as being implemented in the trial, will be used to inoculate