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areas that have been mined in the South Taylor Pit area. Conducting trials on areas that have <br />not been mined (where the lithology is still intact) does not meet this goal. Please change the <br />commitment and text for the aspen study plots to commit to planting the aspen plots on <br />areas of regraded spoil, and address considerations that will be given to ensure that plot <br />location, exposure, and site conditions are conducive to aspen establishment. Also, the size <br />of the small aspen plots should be described as "not smaller than one acre, rather than not <br />larger than one acre. This clarification needs to be made for the thick and thin soil tall <br />shrub plots as well. <br />2. Please address measures that will be taken to ensure that the upper four feet of surface material <br />(spoil and/or topsoil) will be replaced to achieve a loose, rough surface, that is not compacted <br />by scrapers or other wheeled vehicles. For the aspen plots, we request that a minimum four <br />foot thickness of topsoil be replaced, to mimic the deep soil replacement areas that could <br />reasonably be expected within the South Taylor area. <br />3. Commitment "d" provides that the aspen planting areas will incorporate an alternate 8-12 foot <br />spacing of aspen and the grassland mix will be drill seeded between the rows of aspen. The <br />Division requests certain modifications to the grassland mix, to reduce competition to the <br />planted aspen, and to provide for a seeded stand that is more compatible with an aspen habitat. <br />In the modified mix, we would request that the thickspike wheatgrass be eliminated, and that <br />the overall grass component be reduced. American vetch should be substituted for cicer <br />milkvetch, and currant or serviceberry should be substituted for fourwing saltbush, to more <br />closely reflect typical aspen stand components. Please provide a table listing the modified <br />grassland seed mix to be seeded in the aspen test plot. Also, please confirm in the <br />narrative that all areas within the fenced aspen planting area that are not covered by <br />Weedguard fabric or equivalent will be seeded with the modified grassland seed mixture. <br />4. In commitment, "e", Colowyo discusses the use of containerized stock for planting purposes. <br />Colowyo does not discuss the size of the containerized stock, number of trees per acre that will <br />be planted or the spacing of the treesin the initial planting. Please include details regarding <br />the size of the containerized aspen and the number of trees that will be planted per acre in <br />the aspen test plots. Additionally, please describe the proposed spacing of the aspen (4-5' <br />recommended). We presume from the description provided that the aspen will be planted <br />in a systematic grid, but we request that a generalized planting diagram be provided to <br />illustrate the plot layout, with respect to row spacing, tree spacing within rows, and areas of the <br />plot that would be seeded. <br />Research indicates that the larger the containerized aspen and native shrubs are the better <br />chance of success they have. The Division recommends that Colowyo use 1 gallon or larger <br />containerized aspen, with at least 10% being 5 gallon containerized trees. <br />5. In commitment "f' Colowyo briefly discusses the proposed planting method for the <br />containerized aspen. Colowyo states that the aspen will be planted "...per best practices with <br />regards to depth, etc." In order to determine the adequacy of the proposed plan, the Division <br />needs to have more detailed information regarding the planting procedures in the aspen areas.