2002-03-04_REVISION - M1986015 (8)

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RECLAMATION PLAN although present in this area, does not seem to be a serious problem. To encourage the most rapid development of the shrub/scrub vegetation, cuttings will be taken from existing willows growing in similar habitats. These cuttings will not be allowed to dry out but will be immediately immersed in water as they are taken. Planting of the cuttings within a day or two (or immediately, if possible) after collection is important. The cuttings can simply be inserted into moist or wet ground and many will root from the cutting. But to encourage the highest success rate, when planted each cutting should have the bark on the lower two or three inches of the cutting sliced lengthwise with a sharp knife or single edged razor blade. The cutting should be dampened in water and then dipped in a hormone powder containing indol•butyric acid, commercially available in garden stores at low cost and often called Rootone. The hormone aids in the rapid development of root tissue in those portions of the cutting that are below the soil. Through the use of this inexpensive hormone, the success rate of the willow cuttings can be increased tremendously. Immediately after treatment, the cutting should be inserted six to ten inches into moist or wet ground. Grass growth in the vicinity of the willow cuttings should not be encouraged but invasion need not be controlled. If the ground tends to dry out, flood irrigation would be useful during the first year. Emergent Wetl¢nd: The emergent wetland vegetation is the easiest of all the forms to establish. Sometimes, if all conditions are properly established, it just happens with no action required at all. And it happens with amazing speed. Unfortunately, creating those precise conditions is not an easy task because the ground surface must be established at just the right elevation to create the diversity that makes emergent wetlands useful. Because pure cattail marshes tend to have low habitat value, due to their monocultural character, a pure cattail marsh will not be sought. Instead a higher diversity, gradational emergent wetland will be sought. This is most easily created by incorporating a diversity of elevations in the ground surface. In this pattern, cattail marsh development occurs in some zones, but other zones are designed to favor bullrushes or spike rushes or sedges and shrubs. The entire wetland should blend, both topographically and vegetationally with adjacent habitats. By creating a basin with the lowest elevation at the average water table elevation (plus or minus not more than one foot), cattail and bullrush combination zones are created. Sometimes the bullrush portions naturally transition into cattail marsh, but initially that pattern should not be sought. Because Typh¢ angustifolia is more common in this area than Typha latifoli¢, but both occur, it can be expected that the former will Pueblo East it Amendment Exhibit E Page 12