2008-09-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A (13)

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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Grazing will not commence until Colowyo has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Division that the vegetation on the reclaimed surface is adequately established and can be expected to withstand grazing pressures. Any grazing studies undertaken by Colowyo will not preclude or interfere with postmining vegetation sampling as required in section 4.15.8. 4.15.6 Field Trials In 1975 Colowyo funded a revegetation study that was initiated on the Colowyo property by the Department of Agronomy at the Colorado State University and the Colorado State University Experiment Station. The study was designed and the work was monitored mostly to determine the suitability of using native species at the mine site. Test plots were used to simulate the disturbance that would result from surface mining. The complete details of the four-year revegetation study are found in Exhibit 10, Vegetation Information. Also, in 1977 an additional shrub study was initiated in conjunction with Soil Conservation Service, Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center. Approximately 35 species of shrub seedlings from the Plant Materials Center are being evaluated for potential use in mined land revegetation. The Center has not published a final report to date. In 2000, Colowyo Mine, along with the Seneca II and Trapper Mines, participated in a shrub establishment program identified as the "CSU/DRMS Shrub Establishment Field Trials." This program is described below: CSU/DRMS Shrub Establishment Field Trials Introduction and General Study Description Shrub establishment demonstration plots have been established at the Colowyo Mine, Seneca II Mine and Trapper Mine. The goal of the plots is to evaluate cost effective methods for establishing native shrubs on reclaimed lands. Native shrub establishment on reclaimed lands has been a challenge. Competition from herbaceous species and wildlife browsing present significant obstacles to establishment. Introduced cool season grass species in particular were frequently seeded in the recent past, and stands dominated by these aggressive grasses have suppressed establishment and growth of the slow growing native shrub species. The uniform replacement of topsoil, at depths ranging from 12-20 inches, may be another factor contributing to the homogenous grass community structure. Grasses thrive at the expense of forb and shrub species. The young shrub plants that do get established are highly desirable browse for deer and elk. Thus, heavy browse pressure creates another limitation for shrub establishment. In an effort to overcome these limitations, the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) requested Colorado State University (CSU) to assist with a study plan to evaluate shrub establishment. A study design was developed after considerable discussion with representatives from the mining community, the DRMS and the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW). Three coal mines in northwestern Colorado volunteered to assist with the project by providing personnel, regraded lands for the plots, construction equipment, planting materials, elk proof fencing, and plot maintenance. At each mine demonstration plots were constructed in the fall of 2000. Five to six treatments were established to evaluate shrub establishment techniques that have commercial practicality on a large scale. The specifics of the Colowyo demonstration plots are found in the Colowyo Mine Specific Field Trial section of this narrative. Rule 4 Performance Standards 4.15-3 Revision Date: 6/23/08 Revision No.: MR-91