2025-10-31_PERMIT FILE - C1981019 (5)

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RULE 2 PERMITS Rule 2 Permits 2.05-21 Revision Date: 8/6/25 Revision No.: PR-05 moisture conditions found at Colowyo. The seed mixture includes species capable of occupying the anticipated micro-habitats encountered in the reclaimed areas. This seed mixture will be quickly effective for erosion control in young reclamation, while also facilitating the desired post- mining vegetative community with the same seasonal varieties and lifeforms of the pre-mined area. The species and seeding rates indicated on this grazingland mix have been adapted from an analyses 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 habitate (sagebrush steppe) is presented in Table 2.05-8. The sagebrush steppe 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. Similar to the seed mixture for grassland areas, the species and seeding rates indicated on this sagebrush steppe mix resulted from in-depth analyses of past mixes and the resulting emergence and dominance within successful revegetated areas at Colowyo. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the reduced competition from grasses, especially sod-forming species such as thickspike wheatgrass, will result in elevated diversity and better performance from slower growing species. Although not yet identified as an issue on Colowyo’s reclamation, because the amount of grasses (and all sod-formers) has been substantially reduced for this sagebrush steppe mix, it is possible that on occasion, grass emergence may not be satisfactory for erosion control or life form diversity. If this scenario occurs in the future, a supplemental inter-seeding with the grassland mix may be utilized to increase the grass and forb component of the specific area. This activity is allowed under Rule 4.15.7 (5)(g). Contingency Seed Substitutions Table 2.05-9 provide a list of contingency species for Table 2.05-7 and Table 2.05-8, should certain taxa be unavailable or unwarranted in any given year. 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