2002-03-04_REVISION - M1986015 (8)

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RECLAMATION PLAN more likely invade areas where water is most common due to its ability to grow in water even four to six feet deep. However, where water is less abundant or very shallow and ephemeral, the latter may be more common. The various bullrushes (Scirpus and Cyperus) tend to invade rather early, even though they may eventually be eliminated. Bullrushes tend to be favored by more sandy soils while the cattails tend to prefer more clayey soils. Thus, by using only overburden (no topsoils) in this area, which tends to be more sandy than clayey, the shift from bullrush to cattail can be delayed. At higher elevations other species tend to invade which create an outer perimeter to the cattail/bullrush core of the emergent wetland. Where shrub dominated land is adjacent to the herbaceous wetland, a zone often develops where shrubs, especially Salix exigua, blends with many of the wetland species that prefer somewhat drier conditions. The emergent wetland will be established more quickly through a very simple process of seeding the area with appropriate species and allowing natural gradients to sort out which species grows where in the entire array. Due to the occurrence in surrounding areas of wetland forms containing the species desired for this area and the abundance of wetland seed materials in these areas, a couple of hours of seed collecting from those sites can produce sufficient seed to initiate an emergent wetland in the reclamation program. These seeds should be immediately distributed over the prepared surface. There is no need to bury the seed or otherwise treat the seeding. If the topography is correct, then the seeding, in combination with the rapid natural invasion, will very quickly establish the desired vegetation. Riparian Forest -Shrub/Scrub Combination: This form of vegetation will be established by planting trees on the higher elevation areas and shrubs (by cuttings) on the lower elevation areas. Generally, where the distance to ground water is two to five feet cottonwood will be planted. Where the water table is less than one foot to two feet, shrubs will be planted. Mixing shrubs and trees in the boundary zone between these two water table depths helps to create a natural blending of the vegetation forms. The location of this type of vegetation has been specifically designed into this plan. The shallow water table should be on the south side of this zone adjacent to the emergent wetland. That is where the shrubs will be planted. To the north of the shrub zone, trees will be planted at a rate of 100 trees per acre (to produce about a 50 tree per acre final density). This creates a natural blending from emergent wetland to shrubland to forest. It also places the tallest plants on the north side so shade effects on shorter plants are eliminated and maximum sunlight is provided to all vegetation. Pueblo East Pit Amendment Exhibit Page 1