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cheatgrass control will be necessary, followed by seeding with a seedmix that will <br />facilitate establishment of the desired life forms. We would suggest certain <br />modifications to the seedmix proposed in the consultant's report. <br />The competitive cool season introduced grasses (crested wheatgrass and <br />Russian wildrye) could negatively impact the establishment of the desired warm <br />season grasses, (orbs, and subshrubs. Native grasses that are more compatible <br />with the other seedmix components, for example squirrel tail (Sitanion hystrixJ, <br />Salina wildrye (E/ymus sa/inus), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoregenaria <br />spicata), and sand dropseed (Sporobo/us cryptandrus) should be considered as <br />alternatives. <br />Greasewood appears to be well established in most areas of the North Decline, <br />and additional seeding of the species may not be warranted. Only one forb <br />(palmer penstemon) was included in the seedmix. Inclusion of additional fortis <br />such as scarlet globemallow (Sphaera/cea coccinea), gooseberry leaf <br />globemallow (Sphaera/cea grossu/ariafo/ia), blue flax (Linum /ewisii), small Burnet <br />(Sanguisorba minorl, and blueleaf aster (Asterg/aucodesl should also be <br />considered. <br />4: The report recommends a spring seeding of some of the thinner areas of the South <br />Fan and 2 West Portals in order to increase perennial cover, particularly warm <br />season grass cover. Spring seeding can be somewhat more-risky than fall seeding; . . <br />'due to the potential that spring/early summer rain may be sufficient to trigger <br />germination, but insufficient to sustain seedlings through dry conditions likely to <br />prevail in June and early July. Consideration should be given to late fall or winter <br />dormant season seeding. Also, for the upper portion of the two steep portal backfill <br />sites at the 2 West Portals (largely devoid of vegetation), extensive roughening is <br />recommended prior to the initial seeding. For these harsh sites and similar steep <br />and/or clayey/saline sites where minimal vegetation has established le.g, the barren <br />area at the North Portalsl, a specifically adapted harsh site seed mixture-may be - <br />warranted in conjunction with the extensive surface roughening. Recommended <br />species for this mixture would include shadscale (Atriplex confertifo/ial, gardner <br />saltbush (Atrip/ex gardnenl, mat saltbush (Amp/ex corrugatai, and galleta (Hi/aria <br />jamesiil. <br />5. In areas where livestock grazing has detrimentally impacted vegetation <br />establishment, or where there is obvious potential for such impact (e.g. the RSRDA <br />Borrow Area) measures need to be addressed to provide for proper management of <br />existing stands and protection of newly seeded areas. <br />6. There seems to have been increasing use of the greasewood reference area in Coal <br />Canyon by target shooters in recent years, since the mine shut down. The <br />boundaries of the area were adjusted recently to exclude a vehicle pull-off. tt is <br />recommended that fencing be erected to protect the area from the effects of further <br />use. <br />Please review and con er these concerns and recommendations, and contact me if you <br />have questions, or if ~ would like to mee ith me to discuss these matters. <br />Sincerely, ///ggg ~ ~~////~ <br />Daniel T. Mathewsu~onmenfal Protection pecialist/ C: Denver File <br />