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<br />Overall, we have had, so far this year, a very high survival rate. I attribute <br />this to the significant rainfall that•was timed in such a way as to keep <br />the soil constantly moist. Also, we placed hydrogel, a powdery organic <br />starch substance that retaines water, at a rate of one teaspoon per seedling <br />around the roots of all the plants that were planted this year. <br />Daniel L. Ball <br />Ehvironmental Technician <br />Colorado Mountain College <br />The 1986 field season has been most gratifying from the stand point of <br />reclamation knowledge gained. By preparing the Phase II areas in late 1985, <br />we were able to overcome an exceedlingly dry late winter and spring and <br />take full advantage of the significant and timely nature of moisture <br />received during the main growing season. Our first year grassland efforts <br />have resulted in the best results to date. Ground cover on our first year <br />areas are equal to or exceeding some areas under the 4th year of work. <br />These results are due to improved timing of planting, seeding, fertilization <br />and especially mulching. Although our attempts at bare root installation <br />in April met with some disappointment, we were not particularly surprised <br />to find that some of the species do not easily propagate in the bare root <br />erode. We will be capitalizing on the knowledge gained in 1986 by forging <br />ahead with increased numbers the Rhus and Atriplex bare root stock in 1987, <br />and continuing our search for similar adaptable species. Antelope bitterbrush, <br />Purshia tridentata, is one of several species we will be working on propagation <br />methods in 1987. This species is the predominant "native invader" in the <br />Mesa Verde Park Area, and we will be researching methods to transport this <br />species to the Coaldale Valley, an area of similiar elevation and temperature <br />range as Mesa Verde. <br />I would again like to thank Peter Moller, Director of the );hvironmental <br />Technology Program at Colorado Mountain College and his students for their <br />efforts in maintaining our reclamation goals. A special thanks to Dan Ball, <br />CMC student/environmental technician who performed his swrmier practicum <br />at Coaldale. <br />~-~s~ <br />Kenneth S. Klco <br />4uarry Supt. <br />8-25-86 <br />~~ <br />~~~~ ~i~ <br />~~o, <br />