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approach to separate the tall shrub components from the grassland components. <br />The Division agrees with the general concept. However, more detail is needed <br />regarding the tall shrub seed mix components. Compared to the steppe seed mix, <br />the herbaceous component of the tall shrub seed mix would logically be severely <br />reduced or eliminated, fourwing saltbush would be removed, and sagebrush <br />reduced. A significant component of tall shrub species including an increase in <br />snowberry, along with inclusion of currant, serviceberry, chokecherry, Rocky <br />Mountain maple, and other adapted shrub species would be warranted. Please <br />provide the Division with a table listing the proposed seed mix for the tall <br />mountain shrub component of the thick topsoil planting area. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />Colowyo has chosen to drop the intent to strip seed, since rows of containerized <br />plantings are now included in the plan. Colowyo has amended the text to reflect the use <br />of a modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix for all trials, that will provide additional data for <br />use in refining potential larger scale efforts in the future. The seed mix has been <br />incorporated into the text. This mix reflects the vast majority of the suggested changes <br />proposed by the Division. <br />7. In commitment "f ' Colowyo is proposing to alternately drill seed the tall <br />mountain shrub seed mix and the grassland seed mix. The intent of this method is <br />to reduce competition from the grass species and to help control erosion on the <br />reclaimed slopes. Colowyo has not indicated whether they plan to substitute any <br />species in the grassland mix or reduce any of the planting rates to help reduce the <br />competition to the shrub species. Please provide additional detail regarding <br />the grassland seed mix and any changes that are proposed for the mix that <br />will be seeded between the rows of tall mountain shrub planting. The <br />Division would request modifications similar or identical to those requested <br />for the grassland component of the aspen plot. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />Colowyo has chosen to drop the intent to strip seed, since rows of containerized <br />plantings are included in the plan. Colowyo has amended the text to reflect the use of a <br />modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix for all trials, that will provide additional data for use in <br />refining potential larger scale efforts in the fixture. The seed mix has been incorporated <br />into the text. This mix reflects the vast majority of the suggested changes proposed by the <br />Division. <br />8. 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. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />The text has been modified to specifically address this.