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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />4.15 Revegetation Requirements <br />4.15.1 General Requirements <br />Colowyo will establish on all affected land within the mine plan area a diverse, effective and permanent <br />vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety as that native to the area. The vegetative cover will be <br />comprised of native and introduced species that are desirable and necessary to achieve the approved <br />postmining land use as required under Section 4.15.2. The seed mixture to be planted is shown in Section <br />2.05 on Table 2.05-7, Reclamation Seed Mixture. <br />The details of the revegetation plan are discussed in Section 2.05.4. <br />4.15.1(4) Vegetation Monitoring <br />The monitoring plan to evaluate the success of shrub plantings, mature transplants, natural reinvasion by <br />sagebrush, as well as initial herbaceous vegetation success is as follows: <br />1. To facilitate identification, sampling of herbaceous vegetation will take place during the peak of <br />the growing season when the vegetation reaches the mature stages. This period of time is <br />generally from late June to early August. <br />Unlike sampling for bond release purposes, sampling will not be required to meet statistical <br />adequacy. <br />2. During the first growing season of a reseeded area, a visual determination of seeded and <br />volunteer species will be performed. From-this information, any apparent revegetation issues <br />will be determined for the seeded species, and unsatisfactory stands of any component can be <br />identified for corrective action. <br />During the second and fourth growing season of a reseeded area, herbaceous cover and woody <br />plant density information will be gathered. This information will be gathered at the species level <br />and will reflect the effectiveness of the seed mixture and volunteer species. Colowyo will also <br />monitor areas seven years and older to assess their status toward approaching the maturity <br />necessary for bond release testing. <br />4. The data and an assessment of the monitoring results will be submitted in the Annual <br />Reclamation Report. A map will be included to delineate the reclaimed areas being sampled each <br />year. The Annual Reclamation Report will also provide details regarding restricted interseeding <br />or other mitigative measures implemented as a result of the vegetative monitoring program. <br />5. Weed control measures may include mowing, discing (conventional cultivation), burning, <br />grazing, or applying an approved herbicide. Weedy species provide initial site stabilization and <br />moisture conservation. Seedings on reclaimed sites have greatly out competed initial weed <br />infestations within three or four growing seasons. Weed control will be implemented for any <br />noticeable weed concentration of species listed in the Colorado Noxious Weed List. Other weed <br />species that seriously threaten the long term continued development of desired vegetation will <br />also be managed using well accepted agronomic methods. <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4.15-1 Revision Date: 6/23/08 <br />Revision No.: MR-91