2008-05-28_REVISION - C1981019 (2)

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The introduced taxon that is included in the seed mixtures above, (Cicer milkvetch), has been retained in the mix to provide forage for both wildlife (elk and sage grouse) and livestock. Furthermore, Cicer milkvetch is an excellent species for providing necessary habitat requisites for a variety of insects that in turn are especially important to sage grouse broods. It is a well-documented observation that insects comprise a very significant portion of young sage grouse diets. Similarly, the introduced species, small burnett, has been retained in the contingency species list (Table 2.05.8) owing to its well documented value to wildlife. Data on reclaimed areas at Colowyo, has indicated that orchard grass is an important grass species for controlling erosion and providing cover the first growing season, while decreasing subsequent growing seasons. Orchard grass comprised 0.13 plants per square foot the first growing season, while decreasing to less than 0.02 plants per square foot the second growing season. This indicates the effectiveness of orchard grass to provide erosion control early on revegetated areas, while not sustaining this vigor in later years due to increased competition and crowding by other species as well as targeted selection by elk (i.e. it has been repeatedly observed in Colowyo reclamation, that orchard grass plants have been selectively consumed by resident elk, and therefore, can be considered highly desirable forage). Also, data from Exhibit 10 indicates that Kentucky bluegrass is the most important grass species contributing to the pre-mine vegetative diversity. Given the aforementioned, it must be accepted that there is a place for certain introduced species in Colowyo reclamation. In 2008 and thereafter, occasional use of introduced species may occur, but will be limited (as indicated in the seed mixes) to specific circumstances. The only circumstances where limited use of introduced species will not be followed are instances where a unit of land is designed to target a post-mine land use of "pastureland" or a unique area is highly susceptible to erosion. Use of the more aggressive taxa: smooth brome, intermediate wheatgrass, and pubescent wheatgrass will be avoided, with the possible exception of "pastureland" development should such a land use be targeted at some future point of time. Prior to such land use designation or use of aggressive taxa to combat areas that are highly susceptible to erosion, an MR or TR (as appropriate) will be obtained from CDRMS to address such circumstances. For the areas to be disturbed by mining, a timetable for reclamation has been established in order to allow for proper scheduling of reclamation activities. The acres to be reclaimed are shown in Section 2.03 on Table 1, Affected Areas for Mining and Reclamation. The revegetation will be conducted during the first normal planting season following the application of topsoil and preparation of the site for seeding. The most favorable times for seeding in this area are in the early spring and late fall. Spring seeding is usually severely limited by high soil moisture conditions, which prohibit the use of seeding and seedbed preparation equipment at a time when conditions are best for germination and seedling establishment. For this reason seeding will be done during late fall months immediately prior to the average occurrence of the first significant snowfall event when the conditions for seeding are optimal. A modest amount of broadcast seeding may occur at other times including early spring, as detailed under Planting and Seeding Methods in this Section, but typically only for small "mop-up" circumstances. Given the significant and nearly ubiquitous past failures regarding the establishment of 2.05-56 Revision Date: 3/14/08 Revision No.: TR-72