2009-04-22_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A

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RULE 2 PERMITS Revegetation Process For the areas to be disturbed by mining, a timetable for reclamation has been established in order to allow for proper scheduling of reclamation activities. The acres to be reclaimed are shown in Section 2.03 on Table 2.03-1, Affected Areas for Mining and Reclamation. The revegetation will be conducted during-the first normal planting season following the application of the topsoil and preparation of the site for seeding. The most favorable times for seeding in this area are in the early spring and late fall. Spring seeding is usually severely limited by high soil moisture conditions, which prohibit the use of seeding and seed bed preparation equipment at a time when conditions are best for germination and seedling establishment. For this reason seeding will be done primarily during late fall months prior to the winter season when the probability of moisture is at its greatest. Broadcast seeding may be done in early spring, as detailed under Planting and Seeding Methods in this Section. Shrubs will be re-established on the reclaimed areas using several alternative approaches. Several shrub species are included in the proposed seed mixture and will be seeded directly. Bare root and containerized shrub seedlings will be planted into the seeded areas in early spring or late fall. On areas where herbaceous vegetation has been established, chemical fallow may be used during the summer months to reduce competition from grass and forb species on selected areas where shrubs will be planted or transplanted. Mature shrub transplants will also be used on slopes of less than 4h:ly where front-end loaders or similar equipment can be operated safely. Shrub seedlings and shrub transplants will be planted in irregular clumps approximately 50 to 250 square feet in size. The clumps of shrubs will be distributed over the reclaimed surface in a manner to maximize edge effect and provide cover for access into the reclaimed area by deer and elk. Depending on available quality and quantity, plant materials adapted to the area will also be planted as seedlings. In addition to the approved species found in the Table 2.05-7 and 2.05-8 Seed mixes in this section, species could include serviceberry, Gamble's oak, bitterbrush, snowberry, sumac, chokecherry, wild rose, silver sage, buffaloberry, currant (Cercocarpus), golden and sandbar (exigua) willows, narrowleaf cottonwood, aspen, and junipers. Additional species will be approved by the Division. Several methods have been used to stabilize access road embankments. Where possible, road cut slopes were reduced from 1:1 to 3h:ly, retopsoiled, seeded, and mulched. Several other cut slopes were left in a roughened condition during construction, and then topsoiled, mulched and seeded after construction. The seed mixture used for road cuts is the same as the mixture used for exploration sites as described in Section 2.02. Upon the completion of all coal mining and reclamation operations by Colowyo, the office, shop, coal crushing facilities and other related surface facilities will be removed and the sites reclaimed according to the grading, topsoil and revegetation procedures set forth in this plan, providing there are no continuing beneficial uses for these structures. Reclaimed areas will be appropriately fenced, if necessary, to reduce grazing or browsing by livestock or wildlife. Planting and Seeding Methods Planting and seeding methods will vary depending on degree of slopes, reapplied topsoil depth, new techniques, etc.; however, the same planting sequence will be used in most cases. A chisel plow will be pulled across the slope or on the contour to reduce any compaction of the topsoil and erosion potential will also be reduced by eliminating any tracks or ruts left by topsoil respreading equipment. Rule 2 Permits 2.05-28 Revision Date: 6/23/08 Revision No.: MR-91