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densities (e. g., 500 plants /acre) should apply only to "core" areas that occupy 10%-25% of the <br />community acreage, with the remaining acreage existing at lighter densities (e.g., 200 plants /acre). <br />Development of such a program would require some detailed field mapping of manifested communities. <br />Second, experimental prldices need to be continued to determine methods to encourage heavier <br />densities of woody plants in tyre reclamation. The current field trials should be carefully monitored and <br />evaluated with regard to suGstrate, revegetation specifications, and progress on an annual basis to <br />determine those factors most conducive to increased woody plant densities. These areas should also be <br />I <br />subject to ground cover sampling to ensure compliance with ground cover and diversity success criteria, <br />or to document where such standards may need to be relaxed (in consultation with CDRMS). <br />Third, it has become readily apparent in recent years that the 10-year responsibility period is too <br />brief a period of time for certain variables such as woody plant density to fully manifest themselves <br />(native perennial forb cover is another variable that is difficult to obtain in such a short period of time). <br />Regulations take this phenomenon into account when dealing with trees (they simply do not mature <br />within the 10 years allotted). I~owever, it has been discovered that woody plant populations often exhibit <br />I <br />great difficulty establishing themselves at late seral or disclimactic levels within a single decade, <br />especially when reclaimed lands are managed properly (i.e. mismanaged rangelands encourage shrub <br />population growth and expanl;ion). Therefore, a method for "estimating" long-term population levels <br />based on mortality and natalif/ rates could bring the evaluabon into balance at the 10-year mark. Such <br />an approach has been met fav~~rably in Montana, although approval has yet to occur. <br />Finally, the tact could bei taken with CDRMS to be more "forgiving" of early program reclamation <br />that is heavily weighted toward grasslands, especially given the advancements made over the last few <br />years in reclamation tecl <br />technology to encourage <br />a subset of reclamation <br />occurred. <br />that encourage shrub populations. If Colowyo alters its reclamation <br />~d development, where appropriate, from this point forward, at least for <br />some relief should be forthcoming for reclamation that has already <br />AA-9 <br />• <br />• <br />• <br />• <br />r <br />r <br />r <br />