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Mined Land Reclamation Division December 29, 1981 Page Three The dominant vegetation species is prairie sand reed. Switchgrass, the second most dominant grass in Condition 3, is not listed as occur- ring at the mine site; while the minor occurrence of sand bluestem indicates Condition 2 vegetation, but with perhaps even less precipita- tion moisture. Coors Energy Company is advocating a sandsage density of around 300 plants per acre on the basis that a lesser density of woody plants would better achieve the goals of the approved postmining land use, which is rangeland for cattle grazing. Stipulation 12 Coors Energy Company will submit justification for the utilization of the introduced species in the reclamation seed mix or remove them. Additionally, Coors should incorporate at least one additional leguminous forb and needle-and-thread grass. The justification and/or new seed mix should be submitted for Division approval by December 31, 1981. Coors Energy Company agrees to incorporate one additional leguminous forb and has added Lutana cicer milkvetch at a rate of0,2~t pounds per acre PLS to its reclamation seed mixture. We do feel, however, that the three introduced grass species (Lincoln smooth brome, Luna pubscent wheatgrass and Nordan crested wheatgrass) should remain as a part of the mixture, in the relatively small amounts indicated, to enhance overall rangeland grazing conditions. Justification for including the introduced grasses is provided by our consultant as follows: The sandsage/prairie sandreed association needs a more competitive and more productive cool season component to (1) control annual weeds (2) provide a palatable forage for grazing in late spring and early summer when the native tall grasses are most susceptible and (3) increase species diversity. The introduced grasses proposed were the only species that controlled annual weeds on the test plots, and were the only cool- season species that produced an abundant forage crop by June. Mined Land Reclamation has requested that needle-and-thread grass also be incorporated in the seed mixture. Our consultant advises that the sharp-pointed needle-and-thread seed and long awns can interfere with grazing and cause physical injury to cattle (especially lumpy jaw). Needle-and-thread is not recognized as one of the more desirable species for ideal grazing rangeland. Needle-and-thread is a cool season grass and the three introduced species are intended to compensate in a more beneficial and productive manner for the omission of needle-and-thread from the mixture. Should Mined Land Reclamation insist, Coors will agree to include needle-and-thread at 2.0 pounds/acre PLS, provided that the seed is available. A copy of the revised seed mixture from Appendix Q-4 is also at- tached for reference.