2004-11-01_REPORT - M1980047 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Colony Shale Oil Project Section 112 Annual Report Map Reclamation activities performed since the last anniversary d<3te are shown in the enclosed map "Affected Land Status -Figure 3." Coarse Ore Valley Stabilization/Reclamation In June, 2001 we began athree-year Coarse Ore Valley Stabilization Project to smooth rough areas and improve the vegetation in Area 17. The plan for that project was filed with our 2001 annual report. Thanks to improved weather, persistence in procuring Douglas Fir seed, and know-how developed throughout the project we are pleased to report that all of the work originally planned is complete, and results to date are encourscging. The original project plan was in three annual phases, each consisting of earthwork to smooth the disturbed areas and revegetation with native grasses/shrubs in the fall and, where practical, Douglas Fir (pseudotsuga menziesii glauca) in the following spring. The first phase of work, beginning in the summer of 2001, went according to plan, except we were only able to obtain six pounds of Douglas Fir seed, which was broadcast in April, 2002 on a portion of the area which was to receive 20 lbs. of seed. The second phase of work began in the summer of 2002 and was documented in our 2002 annual report. The second phase did not require Douglas Fir seed, but we were still unable to obtain any fir seed to make up for the spring, 2002 shortage. The third phase of the project was not documented in our 2003 annual report, because work was still in progress after the report deadline. Therefore this annual report documents all of the work done in 2003 through October, 2004. In the summer of 2003 approximately eight acres of the original phase 3 area was graded. In November, 2003 the area was reseeded with the seed mix tabulated in Attachment 1. One unforeseen advantage for dividing the project into three phases was the benefit of learnings from previous years. Equipment operators learned how to manage the available quantities of fine material and utilize it as seed bedding. They also learned how to design access for the revegetation contractor yet leave minimal roadways that could be seeded almost as well as the surrounding revegetation areas. Lastly, they became more farniliar with the capabilities and limitations of the revegetation contractor and were able to construct slopes and access for more effective application and usually for drill seeding. In the fall and winter of 2003 we were finally able to obtain sufficient quantities of Douglas Fir seed to complete our original plan -- 30 lbs. from Colorado (San Isabel National Forest area) and 20 lbs. from east central Arizona (Apache National Forest area). The two lots of seed were mixed, in case there were differences in germination rate. After research and consultation with Dr. Warren Keammerer it was decided to stratify a thirty pound batch of seed for seeding in spring, 2004. The seed was soaked in fresh water for two days, placed in plastic bags, and stratified in a refrigerator at 35-40°F for 45 days. The remaining, non-stratified seed was stored for planting in fall, 2004 In May, 2004 the stratified Douglas Fir seed was hand broadcast at a rate of 2-5 lbs./ac. in the areas originally intended for fir seeding in spring, 2002. No fertilizer was used, but the areas seeded were gently raked in order to provide 0.5-1" of cover. The fraction of pure live seed from either of the seed sources is unknown, but the seed was freshly gathered in fall, 2003.