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trial plot. Detailed planting practices as described/requested for aspen planting will need <br />to be provided. <br />15. The tall shrub species are in general highly palatable to elk and deer. Given the heavy use of <br />Colowyo reclaimed areas, especially by elk, and given the results observed in past operational <br />and field trial plantings at Colowyo and other northwest Colorado mines, protection from <br />browsing during establishment is critical. The plan to install elk proof fencing if a problem is <br />observed is not sufficient, and could,result in delays to allow for replanting. At least'/2 of the <br />trial site should have elk proof fencing installed from the beginning. Colowyo may want to <br />consider use of repellent or other protective products or approaches on non-fenced portions of <br />the field trial site. Please amend the plan as appropriate. <br />General Comments <br />16. In TR-84 Colowyo is proposing a total of three trial plots, one for aspen and two for tall <br />mountain shrubs on thick and thin topsoil. The goal of these trials is to determine a suitable <br />method for the reestablishment of these communities in the reclamation, specifically in the <br />South Taylor Pit. To achieve this goal, Colowyo will need to initiate these test plots as early as <br />possible, so the knowledge gained can be used for aspen and tall mountain shrub <br />reestablishment when the South Taylor Pit is being reclaimed. These test plots should, ideally, <br />be planted during the 2010 reclamation season and no later than the 2011 reclamation season. <br />The Division requests that Colowyo commit to planting the three aspen and tall mountain <br />shrub test plots in the 2010 reclamation seasons. <br />17. Based on the ultimate goal of reestablishing the aspen and tall mountain shrub communities, <br />specifically in the South Taylor Pit area, Colowyo may want to consider initiating more than <br />one trial for each of the aspen, tall mountain shrubs on thick topsoil and tall mountain shrubs on <br />thin topsoil communities. The initiation of more than one trial will yield more information <br />regarding possible successes and failures and may eliminate the random nature of one plot's <br />failure or success. Varying the elevation, slope and aspect may have a large affect on the <br />success or failure of a test plot. Such information is not possible with the planting of a single <br />test plot. As with question 16 above, these multiple test plots should be initiated no later than <br />the 2011 reclamation season. <br />18. Colowyo has not provided any information regarding where the proposed test plots would be <br />located, besides the general statement that they would be in areas delineated for the sagebrush <br />steppe seed mix. Since the Division is requesting these test plots be initiated no later than <br />2011, Colowyo should have a good idea of the areas that will be reclaimed in that time-frame <br />and provide more details regarding their location. These possible locations can be provided to <br />the Division in the form of a plate within the permit text. Once final locations have been <br />established and the test plots have been planted, Colowyo can revise the plate as necessary. <br />Please provide the Division with more specific information regarding the locations of the <br />proposed test plots within the approved reclamation schedule. Please delineate the test <br />plot locations on a plate within the text of the permit.