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The introduced species were included in the mixture because they were thought to be <br />necessary to control erosion and because they provide forage for wildlife and livestock on <br />the reclaimed area. The research at Colowyo by the Colorado State University (CSU) <br />Agronomy Department has documented the superiority of the introduced species for <br />revegetation purposes compared with other species under similar conditions. The CSU <br />study and two progress reports are set forth in Exhibit 10, Vegetation Information. None <br />of the introduced species are poisonous or noxious. For further discussion of the value of <br />introduced species for obtaining the desired post-mining vegetative community of the <br />same seasonal variety and lifeform of the pre-mined area, refer to Section 2.05. <br />For post-2008 revegetation, the seed mix is comprised entirely of native species with the <br />specific exceptions described below. Introduced species would only be utilized in four <br />possible circumstances. The first would be reclaimed areas exhibiting a post-mining land <br />use of pastureland (specifically targeting domestic livestock grazing and/or haying <br />operations). The second would be in small areas potentially susceptible to excessive <br />erosion where at the discretion of Colowyo's reclamation coordinator, introduced species <br />would provide the necessary protection. (Prior to use of aggressive taxa to combat areas <br />that are highly susceptible to erosion, an MR or TR (as appropriate) will be obtained from <br />CDRMS to address such circumstances.) The third possible circumstance would be the <br />inclusion of orchard grass at elevated densities in certain locations designed to encourage <br />elk away from other sites. (It has been documented that elk specifically seek this species <br />for consumption.) The fourth circumstance would be inclusion of modest quantities of <br />small burnett or nitrogen fixing legumes such as cicer milkvetch or alfalfa as <br />supplemental forage for deer, elk, and livestock. In addition, cicer milkvetch has proven <br />to be an excellent "habitat" plant for insects that are very important to foraging sage <br />grouse chicks during the brooding period. <br />4.15.3 Seeding and Planting <br />The seeding and planting of the disturbed area will be conducted during the first normal <br />period for favorable planting conditions after final preparation for seeding or planting. <br />The planting period and other revegetation metrics for Colowyo are set forth in Section <br />2.05.4. <br />4.15.4 Mulching and Other Soil Stabilizing Practices <br />As addressed in Section 2.05.4, Colowyo currently does not mulch, chisel plow, or <br />terrace, because sufficient surface roughness survives the topsoil laydown process to <br />maintain the appropriate roughness for modeled sediment control conditions. When <br />necessary, chisel plowing, discing, terracing and/or contour furrows could/would be <br />utilized to stabilize, reduce compaction and increase the moisture retention of graded <br />topsoiled areas. Chisel plowing is the most preferred method of initiating surface <br />roughness at Colowyo, beyond the roughness created through topsoil laydown activities. <br />Areas less than 10% slope at Colowyo have been identified as potentially targeted areas <br />for the Sagebrush Steppe land use and will essentially require a smooth seedbed surface. <br />If these Sagebrush Steppe areas occur in large patches in the future and encompass long <br />4.15-3 Revision Date: 3/14/08 <br />Revision No.: TR-72