GENERAL54382

• Permit No: C1982057
• IBM Index Class Name: General Documents
• Doc Date: 2/15/2006
• Doc Name: Aspen Transplant Study 1st Year Report
• From: DTM
• To: SB1
• Permit Index Doc Type: Vegetation
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

2, The study was properly expanded to incorporate growth and survival data
collection for non-imgated root segment sprouts that developed on the two soil
treatments within the fenced primary study plot, as well as commercially grown
aspen seedlings that were planted in a nearby fenced area at Seneca II-W, and
natural sprouts located on a surface disturbance area at Yoast that had not been
mined. Additional documentation should be included in the report, regarding
certain aspects of the expanded study. Please amend the report to include:
• A map or maps at appropriate scale to show the location of the
primary study site at Seneca II-W, the nearby fenced site at II-W, and
the monitored site at Yoast.
• A description of the soil treatment for the commercial seedling
planting site, as requested for the primary study site soil treatments.
• Details on potted nursery stock, including size of the transplants,
type/size of container, site origin of the seedling stock
(Forest/county/elevation, etc.), planting timing and method, and any
post-planting cultural practices (irrigation, weed control, etc.).
Proposed Future Research
The report prepared by the RMRS researchers contains proposals for future study, but at
this point there are no specific commitments, beyond those included in the permit
Appendix 22-3 study plan referenced earlier in this memorandum. Based on the initial
relatively high survival observed for various treatments, including native transplants, root
segment sprouts, and commercial nursery seedlings, it is clear that a continuation of the
study is warranted in order to obtain meaningful results on longer term growth, survival,
and imgation response. Permit Appendix 22-3 indicates that additional study plans
would be submitted no later than December 2006, with level of irrigation to continue
through the 2006 field season at levels to be determined by 2005 study results. However,
it would seem that a more detailed second year study plan addressing evaluation of
survival, growth, and physiological status, in addition to irrigation treatments, should be
formalized and submitted as soon as practicable. By December 2006, a plan for longer
term research should be submitted. Ideally, to ensure proper continuity of the study, the
RMRS involvement in monitoring, assessment, and reporting would continue through the
2"d year study, as well as future longer term research. My specific recommendations
regarding future research include:
A 2"d year study plan should be submitted as a minor revision to the permit,
by April 15, 2006. The revision might logically be submitted as an addendum to
the Appendix 22-3 study plan. The plan should include 2"d year irrigation
treatment rates and frequency, and should address maintenance of precipitation,
soil moisture, and temperature monitoring systems in the primary study plot;
quality assurance/quality control procedures, protocol for plot management and
monitoring of survival, growth, and physiological status of native transplants, root