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<br />This Po utl r•e River• situat ion tloes indeed conf ir•nr that dr•anrat is drops in <br />the groundwater table in pr•evlous stable situations will cause the <br />death of cottonwood trees. Ours situation along Coal Creek does diTfer• <br />from the Poudre River• area because of a larg er• annual variation of the <br />groundwater table and the gradual dr^op in the groundwat er• table due to <br />the pond which will follow the mining down the Creek. <br />F. Methods t~~ mitigate Impacts to Cottonwood Trees <br />The health of the cottonwood tr•e es along the Cr•e ek is of importance to <br />the Stater Board of Land Commissioners, who is the Land owner-. They <br />represent a valuable asset to the land which will be marketed later fors <br />r•esldent i.al development. In addition, the cottonwood trees arse a <br />valuable r^esour•ce to the wlldtife in the area. Their continued <br />sur•vivai is attainable within the context of this mining operation. Ire <br />order- to reasonably insure that the cottonwood trees will live, a <br />variety of methods will be utilized. <br />1. P*'oFrer• Minin Bet back - In order- nut to disturb any tree roots, <br />mining viii setback from trees a proper- Distance. There are <br />sevferal rules of thumb that have been used in the past to <br />determine how far- r•ovts extend from the tree trucks. Some of <br />thesse rules state that the tree roots occur- as far as the branch <br />drip line. Other rules say that for- every one inch of tree truck <br />diameter, the roots will extend one foot. These general r•utes may <br />not specifically apply to each individual tree group. Therefore, <br />we will locate the roots of_ _each pree.,group by hand d,l_g.g.ing.- A <br />wor•fcer• will identify~a^lar•ge later•ai tree root end follow it out <br />from the trunk to its rnd. This point will determine the mining <br />setback for- the trees. Also, this setback will allow the <br />groundwater- table to rise and re-establish itself underneath the <br />t r•ee. <br />'c'. Nq_'fL'ee lslands~-.- Our <br />surrounded by mined <br />sides of tfie.. Q~rgnk or <br />continue to receive w <br />Creek channel. These <br />fqr• the trees. <br />mining plan will not leave islands of trees <br />out Land. All trees are connected to the <br />Tloodplain. in this way the trees can <br />ater• which flows down from the hills into tfie <br />peninsulas o~~ground will also store ground <br />3. Tree Monitoring - In or•der• to insure that our mitigation nreasur•es <br />arse Horking~~ we will institute an extensive nronitor•ing program of <br />the trees. Since mining will only consume 1!4 to 1/3 of a mile <br />each years, there will be plenty of time to monit ors the health of <br />the trees. ~ The monitoring program will involve the health of the <br />trees where mining has passed as compared to the health oT the <br />trees where mining has not yet occurred. Specific par•ameteras to <br />be monitored Snclude twig growth, twig flex1611it y, Ieaf color- and <br />flexibility. and limb die-off. ) If trees appear- to be under <br />stress, additional mitigation methods will be instituted as noted <br />below. <br />4 <br /> <br />