Laserfiche WebLink
commit to planting the aspen plots on areas of regraded spoil, and address <br />considerations that will be given to ensure that plot location, exposure, and <br />site conditions are conducive to aspen establishment. Also, the size of the <br />small aspen plots should be described as "not smaller than one acre, rather <br />than not larger than one acre. This clarification needs to be made for the <br />thick and thin soil tall shrub plots as well. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />The appropriate text has been amended. <br />2. Please address measures that will be taken to ensure that the upper four feet of <br />surface material (spoil and/or topsoil) will be replaced to achieve a loose, rough <br />surface, that is not compacted by scrapers or other wheeled vehicles. For the <br />aspen plots, we request that a minimum four foot thickness of topsoil be replaced, <br />to mimic the deep soil replacement areas that could reasonably be expected within <br />the South Taylor area. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />The appropriate text has been amended. <br />3. Cornmitment "d" provides that the aspen planting areas will incorporate an <br />alternate 8-12 foot spacing of aspen and the grassland mix will be drill seeded <br />between the rows of aspen. The Division requests certain modifications to the <br />grassland mix, to reduce competition to the planted aspen, and to provide for a <br />seeded stand that is more compatible with an aspen habitat. In the modified mix, <br />we would request that the thickspike wheatgrass be eliminated, and that the <br />overall grass component be reduced. American vetch should be substituted for <br />cicer milkvetch, and currant or serviceberry should be substituted for fourwing <br />saltbush, to more closely reflect typical aspen stand components. Please provide <br />a table listing the modified grassland seed mix to be seeded in the aspen test <br />plot. Also, please confirm in the narrative that all areas within the fenced <br />aspen planting area that are not covered by Weedguard fabric or equivalent <br />will be seeded with the modified grassland seed mixture. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />Colowyo has amended the text to reflect the use of a modified Sagebrush Steppe <br />Mix for all the trials that addresses the issues raised by the Division. The seed mix has <br />been incorporated into the text. <br />4. In commitment, "e", Colowyo discusses the use of containerized stock for <br />planting purposes. Colowyo does not discuss the size of the containerized stock, <br />number of trees per acre that will be planted or the spacing of the trees in the <br />initial planting. Please include details regarding the size of the containerized <br />aspen and the number of trees that will be planted per acre in the aspen test <br />plots. Additionally, please describe the proposed spacing of the aspen (4-5' <br />recommended). We presume from the description provided that the aspen