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sagebrush." In addition to the serviceberry and sagebrush that Colowyo has proposed, the <br />Division requests that Gambel oak also be included in the planting plan. <br />10. In the letter dated November 5, 2010 from Colowyo Coal Company to DRMS regarding <br />Response to Preliminary Adequacy Review - TR-84, Colowyo stated in its response to item <br />14 that the text has been amended to "include planting containerized shrubs including <br />serviceberry and mountain mahogany and recommended planting practices." It is not clear <br />in the text where mountain mahogany is being planted, size of container stock or if <br />Weedguard is being used. Please clarify location, planting procedures and stock size for the <br />mountain mahogany being planted. <br />11. Page 4.15-17, picture `Aspen/Tall Shrub Establishment General Location - This picture <br />shows the location of the proposed aspen/tall shrub trial area but does not give adequate <br />reference to location in the mine, topography, scale or cardinal directions. Please include a <br />map of the proposed area addressing these issues and the map standards of Rule 2.10. <br />12. Page 4.15-17, picture `Aspen/Tall Shrub Establishment General Location - This picture <br />shows the general location of the proposed aspen/tall shrub field trial area. The area <br />appears to have a north facing, shallow slope that is generally flat and has been disturbed by <br />mining activity. The area is also surrounded by sagebrush steppe habitat. A sagebrush <br />steppe is characterized by low annual precipitation and can be characterized a semi-arid <br />grassland. These conditions are not favorable to the establishment of an aspen community. <br />Aspens tend to occupy sites that are mesic with fine textured soils that are more fertile and <br />they have a low drought tolerance. The Division suggests that a more suitable site for the <br />aspen trial areas be used, such as in the bottom of a drainage. Please consider a relocation <br />of the field trial area and discuss any possibilities. Please show the proposed location of the <br />field trial area on Map XXX also. <br />13. Page 4.15-18, table `Aspen & Tall Shrub Field Trials Modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix' - <br />The sagebrush steppe seed mix has been modified to reduce the volume of " low shrubs" in <br />favor of the tall shrubs in the mix and the grasses were also reduced to minimize <br />competition while still providing soil stabilization. The tall shrubs that were added to the <br />seed mix (i.e. Acer glabrum and Prunus virginiana) are adapted to more mesic sites than the <br />grasses and forbs in the same seed mix. The Division would like to see a separate seed mix <br />designed for these field trials. The seed mix should contain a low rate of grasses and forbs <br />combined with tall shrubs that are adapted to mesic sites consistent with the conditions <br />associated with aspen groves. <br />14. Page 4.15-18, Illustration "Expected Field Implementation Plan for Aspen/Tall Shrub Field <br />Trials" - The diagram illustrates that the planting arrangements and density for <br />containerized plant stock is 550 plants/acre. The planned area is shown to be 220 feet by <br />220 feet or 48,400 ft2. An acre is actually 43,560 ft2, -10% less than the diagram <br />illustrates. This difference in square footage lowers the actual stem count per acre resulting <br />in a perceived mortality rate. Please adjust the planting densities to 43,560 ft2 per acre to <br />reflect this difference.