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C1981019, TR84 Adequacy No. 2 response 2 April 8, 2011 <br />Please refer to Page 4.15-17 bullet 3e and 3f for this information. <br />11. Page 4.15-17, picture `Aspen/Tall Shrub Establishment General Location - This picture shows <br />the location of the proposed aspen/tall shrub trial area but does not give adequate reference to <br />location in the mine, topography, scale or cardinal directions. Please include a map of the <br />proposed area addressing these issues and the map standards of Rule 2.10. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />Colowyo discussed this presentation with DRMS staff prior to submitting the November 5, 2010 <br />package and was deemed to be appropriate at that time. The location was also discussed with <br />DRMS and CDOW staff at the September 28, 2010 meeting and all were in agreement that this <br />location was appropriate for the trials. Colowyo will commit to adding this location to the <br />annual reclamation report map for 2011 activities. <br />12. Page 4.15-17, picture `Aspen/Tall Shrub Establishment General Location - This picture shows <br />the general location of the proposed aspen/tall shrub field trial area. The area appears to have a <br />north facing, shallow slope that is generally flat and has been disturbed by mining activity. The <br />area is also surrounded by sagebrush steppe habitat. A sagebrush steppe is characterized by low <br />annual precipitation and can be characterized a semi-arid grassland. These conditions are not <br />favorable to the establishment of an aspen community. Aspens tend to occupy sites that are <br />mesic with fine textured soils that are more fertile and they have a low drought tolerance. The <br />Division suggests that a more suitable site for the aspen trial areas be used, such as in the bottom <br />of a drainage. Please consider a relocation of the field trial area and discuss any possibilities. <br />Please show the proposed location of the field trial area on Map 28 or CCC's Reclamation Map. <br />Colowyo's Response: <br />The location of the field trials were specifically discussed with DRMS and CDOW staff at the <br />September 28, 2010 meeting and all were in agreement that this location was appropriate for the <br />trials. The area directly below (down-slope to the Northeast) the trial locations is a mix of <br />serviceberry, snowberry, etc. There are also examples of aspen stands on the North facing <br />slopes of the Western edges of the proposed South Taylor Pit area. The ability to access these <br />locations for monitoring and future replanting activities, in addition to fencing and other <br />implementation considerations make this location ideal for these trials. This location is also the <br />only area in the South Taylor disturbance area available in the near term for any form of <br />reclamation activities, and will provide the most applicable information towards any future <br />activities targeting aspen/tall shrub establishment. Furthermore, perusal of Map 4C shows <br />Aspen and Sage communities in close proximity at multiple locations at higher elevations, <br />especially in the S. Taylor area. The sage communities at these elevations are co-dominated by <br />snowberry. They are the mesic expression of the community as opposed to the xeric expression. <br />13. Page 4.15-18, table `Aspen & Tall Shrub Field Trials Modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix' - The <br />sagebrush steppe seed mix has been modified to reduce the volume of " low shrubs" in favor of <br />the tall shrubs in the mix and the grasses were also reduced to minimize competition while still <br />providing soil stabilization. The tall shrubs that were added to the seed mix (i.e. Acer glabrum <br />and Prunus virginiana) are adapted to more mesic sites than the grasses and forbs in the same