2010-12-17_REVISION - C1981019 (110)

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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS g) Colowyo will place contour furrows immediately above approximately every third fabric row (approximately every 66 feet). The trial will exhibit alternating bands of modified Sagebrush Steppe mix (approximately 17 feet), fabric /containerized plantings (4 -5 feet wide), modified Sagebrush Steppe mix (approximately 12 feet), contour furrow (approximately 5 feet). This pattern should allow for specific emphasis on containerized plantings establishment while minimizing the risk of excessive erosion during the period of early establishment of the trial area. h) An "elk proof' exclusionary fence will be erected around the perimeter of the trial area to protect it from ungulates. i) In the event of stand failure the area will revert back to sagebrush steppe for the purposes of Phase III bond release in the future, with the exception that the requirement for 50% of the required 375 shrubs in this area be big sagebrush, this requirement will reasonably be dropped. 2) Colowyo agrees to establish one small (one acre) tall shrub establishment site that that displays thin topsoil conditions. The location of this field trial will be along the transition zone between Sagebrush Steppe and Grassland designated seeding areas (likely between 10% and 15% slope as illustrated by Map 46). Actual results from the trial should yield information that can be used to apply additional stability and /or sediment control measures on larger areas if this attempt is successful. a) The area will be regraded in accordance with PMT requirements. Additional ripping of the overburden material will be conducted by a dozer to a depth of approximately four feet to ensure the material is in a loose condition, rough condition to encourage infiltration of rain/snowmelt and root development. Overburden with a significant course fragment component is desireable. b) The area will be tested for overburden suitability as per requirements. c) An approximate average of four inches of topsoil will be placed to replicate common topsoil depth conditions in the surrounding area in stands of this nature. Once the topsoil has been placed, it will be roughened with a disc (pulled by a dozer or other appropriate machine) to ensure the material is in a loose, rough condition to encourage infiltration of rain/snowmelt and root development. d) The Sagebrush Steppe mix will be modified to reduce the volume of "low shrubs" in favor of tall shrub components of the mix. The grasses currently included in the mix will also be reduced to minimize competition, while still providing some soil stabilization function. The entire trial area will be seeded with the modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix as seen below. In the event individual components of the mix are unavailable, guidance from the Division will be sought prior to implementation of the trial. Weedguard fabric or its equivalent will be placed in rows (at intervals of approximately 22 feet) and will be used to severely reduce competition between the containerized plantings and annual weeds and grasses. Please see the "Expected Field Implementation Plan for Tall Shrub Field Trials" illustration below. e) Containerized 2 -3 foot serviceberry and mahogany plants will be utilized from the most similar source elevation available in the region. Based on the volume of containerized plants included in the trial (550), and the expectations of success, a combined number of (300) serviceberry and mahogany plants within the trial (five years after implementation) will be considered a successful demonstration of Colowyo's ability to proceed further with additional plantings. Supplemental planting of serviceberry and mahogany should be initiated the year following initial trial establishment should initial survival of the plantings be very low. Alternative methods for demonstrating compliance with the re- establishment of tall shrub habitat in the Collom expansion area will be initiated with the Colorado Division of Wildlife after the end of the third growing season after initiation of this trial should stand failure continue. Collom — Rule 4, Page 30 Revision Date: 1/23/09 Revision No.: PR -03