Laserfiche WebLink
RULE 2 PERMITS <br />The approved reclamation seed mixture, as shown in Table 2.05-7, Reclamation Seed Mixture, contains <br />sufficient diversity for ecological stability. The seed mixture contains a variety of grasses, forbs and shrub <br />species well adapted to the soil and moisture conditions found at Colowyo. The diverse seed mixture is <br />capable of self selection for each reclaimed micro-habitat encountered in the reclaimed areas. The diverse <br />seed mixture is required to ensure quick erosion control for the first few years of reclamation as well as <br />obtaining the desired post-mining vegetative community with the same seasonal variety and lifeform of <br />the premined area. <br />Also, an approved seed mix for the shrub establishment areas has been used in combination with other <br />methodologies to meet the requirements of Rule 4.15.8. Table 2.05-8 shows this alternative seed mixture. <br />The high rate of seeds per square foot is simply a result of the large number of species in the mixture. As <br />mentioned above, the individual species have been selected to ensure quick erosion control to ensure <br />immediate stabilization of the topsoil as well as long-term stability of the site. None of the individual <br />seeding rates are excessive, nor is the seeding rate per acre excessive for drill seeding. <br />The introduced species are included in the mixture because they are necessary to control erosion and <br />provide forage for wildlife and livestock. <br />Colowyo is well aware, as is the Division, of the numerous research studies that have been performed <br />documenting the superiority of the introduced species under similar conditions as found at Colowyo. <br />The CSU research report in Exhibit 10 documents the ability of the introduced species in the seed mixture <br />to provide rapid cover to control erosion, as well as provide forage production for wildlife and domestic <br />livestock use. The tables containing specific information on production, cover and seedling establishment <br />address the comparable ability of introduced species to perform as well as or better than native species <br />under similar conditions of the study. <br />Field trials by the SCS and Energy Fuels on Energy Mine No. 1 document that species found most <br />suitable for erosion control include smooth brome and intermediate wheatgrass. <br />Additional information has been collected by Energy Fuels personnel at the old Peabody Wolf Creek <br />mine in Routt County. The 15 year old planting is showing definite indications that smooth brome is <br />beginning to decrease, while native species are invading. <br />Preliminary data, based on two years of growth on reclaimed areas at Colowyo, has indicated that orchard <br />grass was an important grass species for controlling erosion and providing cover the first growing season, <br />while decreasing the second growing season. Orchard grass comprised .13 plants per square foot the first <br />growing season, while decreasing to less than .02 plants per square foot the second growing season. This <br />indicates the effectiveness of orchard grass to provide erosion control early on the revegetated areas, <br />while not sustaining this vigor in later years due to increased competition and crowding by other species. <br />Section 4.15, Table 4.15-7, Pre-mine Species Diversity, indicates that Kentucky bluegrass is the most <br />important grass species contributing to the pre-mine vegetative diversity. Therefore, we believe that this <br />particular species is a valuable component of Colowyo's proposed seed mixture. Numerous studies, <br />including Sims (1977), Merkel, et al (1974) and McGinnies (1963) indicate the effectiveness of such <br />species as intermediate wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, smooth brome and alfalfa to provide for <br />erosion control on disturbed sites. As stated earlier, these species are able to establish themselves on the <br />severe conditions encountered on reclaimed areas, providing early growth and plant cover thus stabilizing <br />the site. Once the site has been established, a stable environment is provided in which native species can <br />develop. <br />Rule 2 Permits 2.05-23 Revision Date: 6/23/08 <br />Revision No.: MR-91