2009-01-29_REVISION - C1981019 (4)

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Colowyo Mine TR-72 PARS 29 January 2009 Page 4 of 8 • A minimum 450 acres of Sagebrush Steppe (core areas and ecotone), based on 50% success on the 900 (approximate) acres of potential Sagebrush Steppe areas indicated on Map 44. • Sagebrush Steppe core areas shall comprise at least 225 acres of the post- 2008 reclaimed landscape, with Sagebrush Steppe ecotone areas accounting for the remaining acreage up to a minimum acreage of at least 450 acres. • A minimum standard of 375 stems per acre on core areas, 200 per acre on ecotone (no allowance for "positive recruitment"). At least V2 of the shrubs on core areas and ecotone areas will be big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), and no more than 20% of the countable shrubs will be fourwing saltbush. • A standard of 0 stems per acre on grazingland areas. • A standard of at least 150 stems per acre on at least 3% of the pre-2008 reclaimed surface. 6. Item Resolved in first adequacy review. 7. Item Resolved in first adequacy review. 8. Item Resolved in first adequacy review. Revezetation Plan in amended Section 2.05.4 9. Item Resolved in first adequacy review. 10. The Division had recommended removal of fourwing saltbush from the shrub steppe seed mix and inclusion of additional native forb species. The operator provided justification for inclusion of fourwing saltbush, including the stipulation that fourwing saltbush would be allowed to count for no more than 20% of the countable plants toward the woody plant density standard. Colowyo declined to amend the proposed seed mixes to include additional native forbs, due to limited success with such species in the past. The Division's point regarding inclusion of additional native forbs, was that such species would likely perform better in the context of the native seed mixes and variable soil depth environment proposed, than has been the case in the past, given the preponderance of more competitive species and uniformly thick soil replacement. The inclusion of native forbs also is helpful in achieving the species diversity standard. Without these native forb seeds in the mix, it is difficult to achieve a diverse, native plant community. The Division will not press the issue further at this time, and will in coming years assess the results achieved with the combination of seed mixes and reclamation practices proposed. The proposed restriction on the contribution of fourwing saltbush toward the shrub success standard is acceptable. Item Resolved. 11. Item Resolved in first adequacy review.