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RULE 2 PERMITS <br /> <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.05-20 Revision Date: 3/7/25 <br /> Revision No.: TR-166 <br />to assist vegetative diversity on the reclamation. On steeper slopes (typically greater than 10% <br />slope) Colowyo will also employ the use of contour furrows and cross ripping following topsoil <br />laydown to create slope breaks and increase surface roughness on otherwise long and straight <br />slopes. <br /> <br />At the discretion of Colowyo, native soil, collected from the local ecosystems, will be used to <br />inoculate reclamation areas with beneficial mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizae are symbiotic relationships <br />that form between fungi and plants. The fungi colonize the root system of a host plant, providing <br />increased water and nutrient absorption capabilities while the plant provides the fungus with <br />carbohydrates formed from photosynthesis. <br /> <br />Revegetation Plan <br />Following the topsoiling of an area, Colowyo will reseed the topsoiled area as soon as is practicable <br />in accordance with the targeted post mining land use as described in Section 2.05.5. Seeding is <br />targeted to occur during in the fall, prior to the first snowfall event (typically mid to late October). <br /> <br />Colowyo typically uses a rangeland drill to complete seeding on both targeted post mine land uses. <br />However, Colowyo also can utilize a Truax (Trillon) drill if deemed necessary. At times, broadcast <br />seeding may be required on steeper areas, wet areas, very rocky areas, or simply on areas that were <br />missed by the other seeding equipment. If seeding cannot be completed prior to seasonal snowfall, <br />broadcast seeding may occur in the spring as soon as ground conditions allow. Broadcast seeding <br />of the sagebrush steppe areas may also be seeded directly into snowbanks if winter or spring <br />conditions allow. When broadcasting is utilized and ground conditions allow, a very light tine <br />harrow or similar equipment may be dragged behind the seeder to facilitate improved soil to seed <br />contact. <br /> <br />Seed Mixes <br />Two seed mixes are utilized at Colowyo, with each mix designed to facilitate revegetation meeting <br />the designated post mining land use of rangeland, subcomponents of grazingland and wildlife <br />habitat (sagebrush steppe). The mixes have been adapted over time in response to changing <br />regulatory requirements, and thorough evaluations of quantitative emergence and dominance data <br />from reclaimed and released reclamation areas. The mixes represent the seasonal varieties and <br />lifeforms present in the pre-mine area and are comprised entirely of native species. The lone <br />introduced taxon included in both seed mixes (cicer milkvetch), which provides excellent forage <br />for wildlife and livestock, is very successful on Colowyo’s existing reclamation, and is an excellent <br />species for providing necessary habitat requisites for a variety of insects that in turn are especially <br />important to other wildlife. <br /> <br />Grazingland Seed Mixture <br />The reclamation seed mixture for post mine areas targeting grazingland is presented on Table 2.05- <br />7. The grazingland seed mixture contains sufficient diversity for ecological stability, erosion <br />control for steeper slopes, and will meet the goals of the designated post mining land use. The seed <br />mixture contains a variety of grasses, forbs and shrub species well adapted to the soil and moisture <br />conditions found at Colowyo. The seed mixture includes species capable of occupying the <br />anticipated micro-habitats encountered in the reclaimed areas. This seed mixture will be quickly <br />effective for erosion control in young reclamation, while also facilitating the desired post-mining