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Colowyo is well aware, as is the Division, of the numerous research <br />studies that have been performed documenting the superiority of the <br />introduced species under similar conditions as found at Colowyo. <br />The CSU research report in Exhibit 10 documents the ability of the <br />introduced species in the seed mixture to provide rapid cover to <br />control erosion, as well as provide forage production for wildlife <br />and domestic livestock use. The tables containing specific <br />information on production, cover and seedling establishment address <br />the comparable ability of introduced species to perform as well as <br />or better than native species under similar conditions of the <br />study. <br />Field trials by the SCS and Energy Fuels on Energy Mine No. 1 <br />document that species found most suitable for erosion control <br />include smooth brome and intermediate wheatgrass. <br />Additional information has been collected by Energy Fuels personnel <br />at the old Peabody Wolf Creek mine in Routt County. The 15 year <br />old planting is showing definite indications that smooth brome is <br />beginning to decrease, while native species are invading. <br />• <br />Preliminary data, based on two years of growth on reclaimed areas <br />at Colowyo, has indicated that orchard grass was an important grass <br />species for controlling erosion and providing cover the first <br />growing season, while decreasing the second growing season. <br />Orchard grass comprised .13 plants per square foot the first <br />growing season, while decreasing to less than .02 plants per square <br />foot the second growing season. This indicates the effectiveness <br />of orchard grass to provide erosion control early on the revege- <br />tated areas, while not sustaining this vigor in later years due to <br />increased competition and crowding by other species. <br />Section 4.15, Table 7, Pre-mine Species Diversity, indicates that <br />Kentucky bluegrass is the most important grass species contributing <br />to the pre-mine vegetative diversity. Therefore, we believe that <br />this particular species is a valuable component of Colowyo's <br />proposed seed mixture. <br /> <br />2.05-49 <br />