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TREE PLAN'fINS AT SNYDER 0.KY2f2Y A PUI)El F(72 THE 1~2TI-4EST AhFJ~IDMETIT •+~++ EVIDE7VCE FO2 SNYDER Np~TH1.EST AhETmhhENT HEPRII~ As a result of the discussions and controversy regarding the planting of trees on the amendment area in the northwest corner of the Snyder Gluarry, it was decided the planting approach should be modeled to develop an estimate of the number of trees which would be able to be planted, how the reclamation environment world support the trees, and what kind of pattern and density could be achieved, develop a projection of the eventual cover, and consider the impact of the trees on grass, forb, and shrub growth. Using SuperCalc 5, a sophisticated spreadsheet program for personal computers, a model was developed which calculated the various types of environments where trees could be planted on the final topography of the site. Several assumptions were made because the mining plan does not and cannot feasibly contain precise details regarding the dimensions of individual benches, the precise number of benches, precise values regarding the depths of the plant growth medium, or a particle analysis of the plant growth medium which would aid in determining the water holding capacity of the material. However, close estimates can be made regarding all of these variables and these estimates can provide the basis for the model. The first page of the model calculates the area where trees would be appropriate to be planted. This area is divided into two parts. The easiest part is the nearly level area below the existing South Peak. It is assumed, and probably with great accuracy, that all of this area could be planted with trees. The benches are a different matter. (See the diagram of atypical bench.) It is known that the depth of the growth medium will vary from about 1 foot at the edge to a maximum of about 8 feet against the wall. An average depth of 6 feet was used for the depth at the backwall. It was assumed that trees could probably not be grown easily in a growth medium of less than about 2.5 feet (30 inches). Trees on the current land are growing in soils as thin as 10 inches, but it is not known under what conditions this establishment occurred. It could have developed under a much wetter climate at some time in the past. Reconstructing the establishment environment which allowed the existing forest to grow on the site would be a very difficult task. It was therefore assumed that rapid tree establishment now, under our current, relatively dry climate, would require a deeper growth medium and therefore a minimum value of 30" was selected. To some extent, this depth is PAGE 1 TREE hADEL 9JYDER NUJ W°EfmhENR EVIDENCE