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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />4.15.2 Use of Introduced Species <br />The examination of the seed mixture approved for the reclamation of rangeland indicates that Colowyo <br />desires to include some introduced species in the mixture for which regulatory approval was obtained. <br />Introduced species included in the seed mixture are: <br />(1) Intermediate Wheatgrass (Aaouvxon intermedium) <br />(2) Siberian Wheatgrass (Agropyron sibericum) <br />(3) Pubescent Wheatgrass (Agropyron trichophorum) <br />(4) Smooth Brome (Bromus inermus) <br />(5) Orchard Grass (Dactylus glomerata) <br />(6) Vinall Russian Wildrye (Elymus junceus) <br />(7) Durar Hard Fescue (Festuca ovina duriscula) <br />(8) Timothy (P eu pratense) <br />(9) Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) <br />(10) Lutana Cicer Milkvetch (Astragalus cicer) <br />(11) Blue Flax ( inu lewisii) <br />(12) Alfalfa (Medicacxo sativa) <br />Of the 31 species approved, 19 species are native.. On a seed weight basis, 65% of the seeds to be planted <br />are native species seed. <br />The introduced species are included in the mixture because they- are necessary to control erosion and <br />because they will provide forage for wildlife and livestock on the reclaimed area. The research at <br />Colowyo by the Colorado State University (CSU), Agronomy Department has documented the superiority <br />of the introduced species for revegetation purposes compared with other species under similar conditions. <br />The CSU study and two progress reports are set forth in Exhibit 10, Vegetation Information. None of the <br />introduced species are poisonous or noxious. For further discussion of the value of introduced species for <br />obtaining the desired post-mining vegetative community of the same seasonal variety and lifeform of the <br />pre-mined area, refer to Section 2.05. <br />4.15.3 Seeding and Planting <br />The seeding and planting of the disturbed area will be conducted during the first normal period for <br />favorable planting conditions after final preparation for seeding or planting. The planting period for the <br />Colowyo is set forth in Section 2.05.4. <br />4.15.4 Mulching and Other Soil Stabilizing Practices <br />As addressed in Section 2.05.4, Colowyo currently does not mulch. Chisel plowing, terracing and/or <br />contour furrows are utilized to stabilize, reduce compaction and increase the moisture retention capacity <br />of regraded topsoiled areas. Spoil will be regraded to minimize long, uninterrupted slopes. Respreading of <br />topsoil will be followed by fertilizing, chisel plowing and contour furrowing. <br />The use of these soil stabilizing practices on areas currently undergoing reclamation at Colowyo has been <br />very effective in controlling surface runoff, thereby preventing surface erosion and gullies. <br />4.15.5 Grazing <br />All the lands reclaimed by Colowyo will not be grazed by livestock until at least one year after seeding or <br />planting and will be managed to promote the postmining land use. <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4.15-2 Revision Date: 6/23/08 <br />Revision No.: MR-91