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Contract negotiations with SCC & RMRS January-March 2004 • Select trees to be transplanted Summer 2004 Install irrigation system Prior to Planting-Fall 2004 Plant trees Fall 2004 Construct Fence Immediately after planting trees Operate irrigation system May -August 2005 Collect tree survival and growth data End of August, 2005 Submit final report March 1, 2006 Appendix 22-3, Aspen Study Plan, contains a detailed methodology for conducting the aspen transplant study and suggests additional techniques for augmenting aspen establishment. SCC will transplant 400 aspen sapling stock to the Aspen Test Plot (see Exhibit 22.1 AI. An additional 400 aspen sapling stock will be transplanted to the Aspen Planting Area in Section 23 (see Exhibit 22- 1A1• The aspen sapling stock will be harvested from select areas of the Yoast Mine. The saplings will be planted in individually dug holes. At the time of planting each sapling will be pruned from the bottom so that only the terminal leader and one whorl of lateral branches remain to help balance root/shoot ratios and transpiration loads. To provide for a future aspen sapling stock, SCC will develop several aspen farm areas within the . Seneca II-W permit area. Exhibit 22-3, Aspen Farm Areas, shows the locations were SCC will develop future aspen sapling stock for transplanting in the Aspen Planting Areas. SCC will mechanically remove mature aspen trees from these areas, leaving the root clones in place which will sucker sprout into numerous saplings. Following removal of the mature trees, the aspen farm areas will be fenced to exclude concentrates browsing by deer/elk. If the test plot experiments prove successful, then SCC will attempt reestablishment of aspen in the areas shown on Exhibit 22-1 A, Postmining Revegetation Map. If the experiments prove unsuccessful, Planting List 1 will be used to complete revegetation in the three proposed aspen planting sites. SCC will employ the "Mother Plant" approach for reestablishing tall shrub species li.e., serviceberry and Gambel oak -Planting List 11• Aspects of the tall shrub reestablishment plan will include: • Approximate topsoil replacement thickness within designated planting areas will be in accordance with the plan depicted on Exhibit 21-1. • Topsoil on the reestablishment area will be roughened with excavator pockmarks. • 4 to 5 native tall shrub individuals (mostly serviceberry) will be transplanted per acre. 4 x 4-ft. weed control fabric will be installed around each tree. • 10-inch tubelings of chokecherry and serviceberry will be planted on 4-ft. centers around and throughout the native tall shrubs. • The six Planting List 1 and the three Aspen planting sites will be fenced to exclude browsing animals. • Strategically located snowfencing will be constructed around the planting area to increase moisture retention. MR-56 23b Revised 09/04