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

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Construct Fence • Operate irrigation system Collect tree survival and growth data Submit final report 7.0 FUTURE RESEARCH Immediately after planting trees May -August 2005 End of August, 2005 March 1, 2006 If first-season drip irrigation proves to be successful in allowing aspen to survive transplanting, additional research might be necessary to investigate the remaining questions discussed above. Studies to determine how long supplemental irrigation is needed and whether the transplanted aspen trees will eventually be capable of re-establishing clones through natural root suckering" could utilize this existing study installation. If high survival rates are observed, long-term monitoring of this study will yield valuable data on subsequent growth and survival. Alternatively, modification and replication of this study design could determine when and how transplants could be weaned from supplemental watering. SCC will submit information and/or requests for this additional study no later than December 2006. Supplemental irrigation will continue through the 2006 field season as necessary. The level of irrigation will be determined by the 2005 study results. 8.0 ADDITIONAL TECHNIQUES TO AUGMENT ASPEN ESTABLISHMENT Additional techniques will be field tested during the 2004 and 2005 growing season to aid in post mine aspen establishment. Mother Plant Technique The main obstacle to aspen establishment is the water available to the transplanted sapling. In order to insure sufficient water for the transplanted sapling and attempt to start an aspen clone, SCC proposes a "mother plant" approach to aspen revegetation. By planting a few large saplings deep enough to contact the water table in selected areas SCC will attempt to establish aspen clones. These saplings • (aft-8ft. tall) will be placed Oft to Eft deep into the heavy top soiled areas or into spoil spring wetlands. By placing these "mother plants" deep enough to contact the soil water table they will have the opportunity to spread adventitious' roots without the need for supplemental irrigation. This will be done on a limited basis, 10 to 50 plants, during the fall planting season of 2004. In addition, the mother plant technique will be used in the Aspen Planting Areas depicted on Exhibit 22- 1A, Postmining Vegetation Map. A minimum of 10 large saplings will be planted; half of~the saplings will be planted unusually deep and half at normal depth for comparison. These saplings would be watered well at the time of planting and three or four times during the first growing season. Appropriate protection from wildlife will be provided for all planting sites and could include fencing or cages or other protective measures. Aspen Sapling Farm In order to provide for a future supply of aspen saplings, SCC will clear cut an area in a mature aspen stand. As mature aspens are clear-cut, the roots sucker-sprout into numerous saplings. This sapling "farm" will be located in an aspen stand destined to be mined within 5 to 8 years so that the saplings will be large enough to transplant when needed for revegetation of the mined land. The area of the designated sapling farm will be fenced to exclude concentrated browsing by elk. Two to three acres of mature aspens will be clear-cut during the dormant period, i.e. after leaf drop. This operation will be completed during the winter months of 2004 and 2005. • TR-47 22-3-5 Revised 02/04