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'9 UNITED t7'TA'TES DEPARTMENT' OF' AGRICULTURE To: nary Lewicki and 1ti95 Court Place Suite 30y Denver, CO 80202 SOIL February 10, 1992 CONSERVATION 922 EAST' FIRST' SERtiICE TRINIDAD. CU 81082 Associates Subject: Vegetative Standards for Trinidad Basin Mine Reclaimed Areas I have reviewed the Baseline Vegetation Inventory for the Trinidad Basin Mine and inspected the reclaimed areas. Original vegetation characteristics of this area where of the Pinon-Juniper type. The vegetative community ibefore mining) was dominated by a mix of Pinon- Juniper with very little herbaceous understory present. The high amount of canopy cover prevented grasses and forbs from growing on this site. The reclaimed areas south of the county road appear to have adequate perennial vegetative cover that xould meet SCS standards. A large portion of the area is still overed by snow. the reclaimed sites could be represented in the native vegetative condition by our Shallow Foothills #209 Ecological Site Description. (copy attached.) Phis site occurs on ridges and steep slopes up co 95 percen[. Precipitation averages 13-17 inches per year. Native vegetation in the climax state is 70-80 percent grasses, 10-20 percent forbs and 15-30 percent shrubs and trees. I would propose the following standard by which to judge the adequacy of reclamation efforts. These characteristics are based as nearly as possible on conditions that would normally exist for the Shallow Foothills #209 Ecological site description. Plant Community Characteristics: The plant community on this site should be comprised of the following percentages of perennial vegetation. Grasses 70~-80is Forbs 10~-20As Shrubs & Trees 15$-30~ Annual Production should not be less than 3001bs. (air-dry) per acre. Vegetation Density expressed as basal area should not be less then 10~e.