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as a shrub conducive reclamation procedure, CDMG may be contacted to initiate <br />alternate reclamation procedures for the remainder of Colowyo reclamation. <br />[As of March, 2008, these test plots had not been constructed because of the impending <br />revision to the reclamation plan. Because of this revision and the reasonable promise of <br />success for the new proposed procedures, construction of these test plots has been placed <br />"on-hold" until as such time as they may become necessary.] <br />As a result of negotiations with CDOW and DRMS regarding approval of TR-72 in 2009, <br />Colowyo has committed to implementing three field trials in the future as reclamation <br />progresses. <br />1) Colowyo agrees to establish one small (not greater than 1 acre) aspen <br />establishment area on associated disturbance in an area where the original lithology is still <br />intact. The location of this area will be in the immediate proximity of the "out of pit" portion <br />of the South Taylor haul road along the slope of the East Taylor drainage. This area presents <br />conditions where the original lithology is still primarily intact and will be relatively close to <br />the regraded PMT surface to allow for a greater likelihood of additional subsurface water <br />flow that is necessary to sustain an aspen stand. The specific implementation plan of the site <br />is as follows: <br />a) The area will be regraded in accordance with PMT requirements. <br />b) The area will be tested for overburden suitability as per requirements. <br />c) Approximately 24 inches of topsoil will be placed to replicate common topsoil <br />depth conditions in the surrounding area in stands of this nature. <br />d) Weedguard fabric or it's equivalent will be placed along the contour of the slope <br />on alternating eight to twelve foot spacing's (depending on size of reclamation <br />drill to be used) to allow for conventional drill seeding of the grassland mix <br />between rows of aspen. <br />e) Commercially available containerized aspen stock will be used for planting <br />purposes from the most similar source elevation available in the area. <br />f) Aspen will be placed through the weed barrier by hand (or by mechanical means <br />if practical and economically feasible) as per best practices with regards to depth, <br />etc. <br />g) An "elk proof' exclusionary fence will be erected around the perimeter of the <br />study area to protect the area from ungulates. <br />h) As this area will not be receiving supplemental watering, in the event of stand <br />failure the area will revert back to grassland for purposes of Phase III bond <br />release in the future. <br />2) Colowyo agrees to establish one small (not greater than 1 acre) tall shrub <br />establishment site that that displays a thicker topsoil condition. The location of this field trial <br />will be along the transition zone between Sagebrush Steppe and Grassland designated <br />seeding areas. <br />a) The area will be regraded in accordance with PMT requirements. <br />b) The area will be tested for overburden suitability as per requirements. <br />c) Approximately eight to sixteen inches of topsoil (gradually thicker moving down <br />slope) will be placed to replicate common topsoil depth conditions in the <br />surrounding area in stands of this nature. <br />4.15-12 Revision Date: 12/22/09 <br />Revision No.: TR-84