2025-04-08_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A

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RULE 2 PERMITS Rule 2 Permits 2.05-21 Revision Date: 3/7/25 Revision No.: TR-166 vegetative community with the same seasonal varieties and lifeforms of the pre-mined area. The species and seeding rates provided on Table 2.05-7 have been adapted from an analysis of the success of past mixes, and the resulting emergence and dominance data within previously successful revegetated areas. Wildlife Habitat Seed Mixture The reclamation seed mixture for areas targeting wildlife habitat (sagebrush steppe) is presented in Table 2.05-8. This seed mix will be applied entirely by drill methods, using a rangeland drill. This seed mixture also contains sufficient diversity for ecological stability. This mixture contains a variety of grasses, forbs and shrub species well adapted to the soil and moisture conditions found at Colowyo and should provide both the structural diversity and life form diversity necessary for the designated sagebrush steppe wildlife habitat. The seed mixture includes species capable of occupying the anticipated micro-habitats encountered in the reclaimed areas and contains sufficient sagebrush seed to hopefully encourage at least some emergence each year, and occasional substantial emergence when climatic conditions are favorable. It was found that grass emergence (2010 – 2024 topsoil replacement plan period) was not satisfactory for erosion control and that shrub density was not being established. Therefore, some sod-forming grasses have been included in this mix. However, there is still an emphasis on providing opportunities for sagebrush and other shrubs to establish. In addition, Colowyo may elect to interseed supplemental shrub seed using broadcast methods in areas conducive to shrub establishment, such as low-lying drainages, areas protected from the wind, and areas where snow collects. Contingency Seed Substitutions Should a species in either the grazingland or wildlife seed mixture not be available, a native species will be selected that is suitable for climatic conditions of the region that is available from the seed vendor for substitution. Fencing Where Colowyo deems appropriate, smaller areas within a larger areas seeded to wildlife habitat may be fenced to encourage shrub development and to limit browsing by local wildlife. Mulching Techniques Mulching techniques are not currently employed at Colowyo, except in rare instances. During the initial permitting processes, Colowyo proposed that on slopes flatter than 4h:lv that rather than utilize a hay mulch, a stubble mulch or no mulch be used on reclaimed areas. The use of mulch on these relatively flat slopes was demonstrated to be of no value towards reclamation at the Colowyo site. The application of mulch was identified to produced problems with delayed germination on the reclaimed areas, rather than solving an assumed erosion problem, which is addressed through other methods. Mulches tend to shade the soil, thus slowing the rise in soil temperature needed for germination of