2010-12-17_REVISION - C1981019 (160)

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or, 300 stems per acre with documentation of a positive recruitment rate on reclaimed shrub communities in Colowyo reclamation. Similarly, in ecotonal areas, we would meet 200 stems per acre after 10 years,, or 65 stems per acre with documentation of a positive recruitment rate on reclaimed shrub communities in Colowyo reclamation. On grassland communities (80% of targeted. reclamation), no woody plants should be required, however, if shrub communities evolve, they would count toward the wildlife habitat goal. Furthermore, there cannot be a requirement for the designed community to in fact evolve, as nature often does not co-operate as we hope. Although mountain shrub may be attempted in certain instances, growth and development of a sagebrush community would still be considered successful. In addition, there may need to be some relaxation of the ground cover and production success criteria in these areas of "special reclamation". For example, a 20% reduction in each parameter over reference area values may be appropriate because encouragement of shrubs and forbs will be at the expense of grasses. The solution to the second source of the problem of achieving adequate woody plant density has been indicated above whereby flexibility must be built into success criteria so that if a positive recruitment rate can be shown to exist, there is no need to achieve elevated densities within a 10-year period. However, there will likely be instances, if not an overall need, to incorporate managerial practices to encourage positive recruitment to the shrub populations. Such management may include the following steps: 1. Use of limited livestock (cattle) grazing to select against grasses and for shrubs and forbs. 2. Use of elk-proof fencing to preclude access into the maturing shrub populations on core areas. 3. Use of orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) in key reclamation locations to encourage elk away from maturing shrub populations. (Cedar Creek has determined that this introduced grass is highly sought by the local elk populations. Well over 90% of observed plants in reclamation have been observed to have received heavy utilization by elk.) The solution to the third source of the problem continues to result from Colowyo's research into revegetation methods and procedures that encourage shrub populations over grasslands. Primary among these is what can be described as a "prescribed ecosystem reclamation approach" or PERA. The principal basis of this reclamation approach is to rebuild the foundation conditions (soil structure and profile) of target vegetation communities on the appropriate aspects, slopes, and topographic features of the reclaimed landscape as indicated (in a preliminary manner) on Figure 1. In this manner, the target community, as opposed to simple grasslands will be more strongly encouraged. Additional techniques may include: use of only native species, avoidance of fertilization, severe reduction of grasses in the seed mix, placement of thin layers of topsoil over overburden, placement of zero topsoil, or placement of thin layers of overburden over topsoil. All of these possible techniques are designed to diminish the competitive advantage of grasses, at least in the early stages of establishment and growth. In summary, this PERA approach on the "20% areas" would be based on the community development contributory factors of: soil quantity, quality, and replacement depth; aspect, slope, and 'landform; documented and expected performance of various floral species; and the post-mining land use. In this CEMARCREIKA M®CUA795,INC. Page 52 2005 Collom Vegetation Survey