2009-06-02_PERMIT FILE - C1982057A ‎(8)‎

• Permit No: C1982057A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 6/2/2009
• Doc Name: Aspen Study Plan
• Section_Exhibit Name: Tab 22 Appendix 22-3
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

Drip irrigation will be tested because it is the most efficient method of delivering water to the
. transplanted trees. In order to save labor in watering the trees and automate the system as much as
possible, commercially available drip emitters and distribution lines fed from a large storage tank will be
used. A standard electronic timer clock will control solenoid valves that are gravity-fed from the tank to
distribute water to the trees. A solar panel will recharge batteries that will power the clock and valves.
A control block of un-watered transplants will also be included in the study to complete the study
design.
SCC plans to test a new technique to remove vegetation prior to topsoil salvage and mining. A large
machine will chop all vegetation into small pieces and incorporate them into the topsoil prior to removal
and replacement after mining. Planting half of the trees in this modified topsoil and half in regular
topsoil will test the effect that this soil containing high organic matter may have on survival of planted
aspen.
It is assumed that sapling-sized aspen, transplanted in the large open re-vegetated mined areas, wilt be
subject to browsing by deer and elk. Therefore, the study site will be fenced to exclude browsing
animals.
3.0 STUDY DESIGN
Four blocks of 100 trees each will be planted in regular topsoil and four blocks of 100 trees will be
planted in modified topsoil containing ground vegetation. Soil type will not be randomized because of
the difficulty of placement by large equipment. Instead, regular and modified topsoil will be placed side
by side on the slope and the study plots positioned over the two soils, The soils will be placed
approximately 4 feet deep over the entire study plot. And will be planted with the shrubs as specified in
Planting List 3 and broadcast seeded with Seedmix 6. Three watering treatments and an un-watered
control will be randomly assigned within each topsoil type. A conceptual layout of the study design is
shown on the attached Aspen Study Schematic. Weed control will be conducted in accordance with
approved mine reclamation practices, with the exception that hand spot-spraying of broadleaf weeds
• will need to be done to avoid damage to the aspen transplants.
Trees to be transplanted will be selected from along the edges of successfully suckering clones on
Seneca property. Aspen suckers growing at the edges of existing clones are more likely to have
smaller, more independent roots than those that arise along older connecting roots between large trees.
Transplant candidates will be 4-6 ft in height, whhout forks, disease, ~or damage that might affect
survival. Trees will be planted in individually dug holes in each plot. To help balance root/shoot ratios
and transpiration loads, each tree will also be pruned from the bottom so that only the terminal leader
and on whorl of lateral branches remain. Soil surrounding each transplanted tree will be thoroughly
soaked at the time of planting to ensure good initial root contact with the soil. Drip systems will be
installed immediately after planting, with an emitter running to each tree. Self-cleaning, pressure
compensating emitters will be used to insure equal amounts of water are delivered to each of three
watering treatments in the plantation. Changes to the layout may be necessary due to field conditions.
To insure a working pressure of 50-pounds/square inch Ipsil, the water storage tank should be installed
at least 115 vertical feet above the valves. To minimize friction pressure loss, one-inch poly hose will
be used to feed the valve manifold, and '/. inch line used to each water treatment. Emitters will be
installed on ten Y:-inch feeder lines in each treatment. All emitters will be y: gallon/hour (gph) rated.
Daily watering times will be varied to achieve watering treatments of 0.3, 0.6, and 1.3 gal/day/tree
lassuming a 4 ft~ watered area, this is the equivalent of 3.6, 7.2, and 14.4 inches of additional
precipitation per monthl. Achieving this water application using %z gph emitters, will require daily
water times of 36, 72, and 144 minutes for the 0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 gallon/day (gpd) treatments
respectively. This schedule will consume a total of 210 gpd, or 1470 gal/week through the growing
season. Therefore, at least a 2,000-gallon storage tank will be used.
Water application will be achieved using three automatic sprinkler system valves controlled by an
electronic sprinkler system clock. All will be powered by 12 or 24-volt DC marine batteries recharged
by solar cells. All water will be filtered at the tank to avoid clogging emitters and valves.

TR-47 22-3-2 Revised 02/04