Laserfiche WebLink
_USDA United States Forest Rocky Mountain 2150 Centre Avenue <br />-,_.~- Department of Service Research Station Building A, Suite 361 <br />Agriculture Fort Collins, CO 80526-1891 <br />File Code: 4000 <br />Date: March 23, 2006 <br />Contracting Officer <br />Office of Surface Mining <br />Three Pazkway Center <br />Pittsburgh, PA 15220 <br />Dear Sir or Madam: <br />The USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station strongly endorses the request for <br />funding from the FY2006; NTTT Applied Science Program entitled: "Response of Transplanted <br />Aspen to Drip Irrigation on Reclaimed Mine Lands." Aspen is a very important component of <br />many ecosystems in the western United States and its health, vigor and continued existence are <br />threatened in some localities. Understanding factors that affect the survival and growth of <br />planted aspen will not only benefit the restoration of mined lands, but will provide valuable <br />knowledge about the restoration of aspen communities in many other situations throughout the <br />West. The collaborative nature of this proposed project is a prime example of a "value added" <br />approach to research and should yield more comprehensive results than would be possible from <br />any single entity working alone. Dr.'s Musselman and Shepperd aze both senior scientists with <br />the Sustaining Alpine and Forest Ecosystems under Atmospheric and Terrestrial Disturbances, <br />Research Work Unit in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Their knowledge and experience, along with <br />technical and biometric support from the Rocky Mountain Reseazch Station will be a valuable <br />asset in this endeavor and will ensure that results will be disseminated in formats and outlets <br />useful to both managers and researchers. <br />Sincerely, <br />BRIAN M. KENT <br />Acting Assistant Station Director for Research <br />~1'~ <br />Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Rerycletl Paper <br />