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Colowyo is well aware, as is the Division. of the numerous research studies that have been <br />. performed documenting the superiority of the introduced species under similar conditions as <br />found at Colowyo. <br />The CSU research report in Exhibit 10 documents the ability of the introduced species in the <br />seed mixture to provide rapid cover to control erosion, as well as provide forage production <br />for wildlife and domestic livestock use. The tables containing specific information on <br />production, cover and seedling establishment address the comparable ability of introduced <br />species to perform as well as or better than native species under similar conditions of the <br />study. <br />Field trials by the SCS and Energy Fuels on Energy Mine No. 1 document that species found <br />most suitable for erosion control include smooth brome and intermediate wheatgrass. <br />Additional information has been collected by Energy Fuels personnel at the old Peabody <br />Wolf Creek mine in Routt County. The 15 year old planting is showing definite indications <br />that smooth brome is beginning to decrease, while native species are invading. <br />Preliminary data, based on two years of growth on reclaimed areas at Colovvyo, has indicated <br />that orchard grass was an important grass species for controlling erosion and providing cover <br />the first growing season, while decreasing the second growing season. Orchard grass <br />comprised .13 plants per square foot the first growing season, while decreasing to Jess than <br />.02 plants per square foot the second growing season. This indicates the effectiveness of <br />orchard grass to provide erosion control early on the revegetated areas, while not sustaining <br />• this vigor in later years due to increased competition and crowding by other species. <br />Section 4.15, Table 7, Pre-mine Species Diversity, indicates that Kentucky bluegrass is the <br />most important grass species contributing to the pre-mine vegetative diversity. Therefore, we <br />believe that this particular species is a valuable component of Colowyo's proposed seed <br />mixture. <br /> <br />2.05-49 <br />