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C1981019 TR84 Adequacy NO.3 3 May 4, 2011 <br /> <br />band Sagebrush Steppe mix). This new pattern does not require additional materials or labor but <br />can increase moisture retention in the aspen band by having a larger contiguous surface area <br />covered by Weedguard, reduce edge effects of weed competition and better mimics the pattern <br />of an actual aspen grove. The weed barrier will need to be removed in the third year to allow the <br />growth of aspen shoots. After the Weedguard is removed, a seed mix containing native grasses <br />and forbs (no shrubs) needs to be planted to hinder the invasion of annual invasive species. This <br />seed mix needs to be designed and consist of species that are common to the understory of the <br />aspen grove reference area. <br />This item has been adequately resolved. <br />8. Page 4.15-13, bullet li -It is stated "that the requirement for 50% of the required 375 shrubs in <br />this area be big sagebrush." Please reference where in the Colowyo permit (CO-1981-019) that <br />sets this standard. Also make the appropriate changes to Page 4.15-14, bullet 2i and Page 4.15- <br />17, bullet 3i. <br />This item has been adequately resolved. If the tall shrub site reverts back to sagebrush steppe <br />success standards, it may be sampled with the surrounding sagebrush steppe reclamation block, <br />and would not need to be sampled as a isolated 1 acre parcel. <br />9. Colowyo has provided numerous commitments that will be implemented during the construction <br />of the tall mountain shrub test plots on thick soil including the seeding of serviceberry and <br />chokecherry. The Aug 7, 2006 CDOW comment letter for PR-2 included the following <br />comment, "The proposed site is primarily composed of mountain shrub communities consisting <br />of mostly Gambel oak, serviceberry and sagebrush. There is also one main stand of aspen in the <br />upper reach of the east fork of Wilson Creek. The CDOW recognizes this community to be <br />important wildlife habitat for elk, mule deer, mountain lions, black bear, and wintering <br />Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, as well as, other wildlife species." The letter continues, "...the <br />chief vegetative component still missing from the site was a consistent shrub community <br />primarily consisting of Gambel's oak, serviceberry and sagebrush." In addition to the <br />serviceberry and sagebrush that Colowyo has proposed, the Division requests that Gambel oak <br />also be included in the planting plan. <br />This item has been adequately resolved. <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 14 <br />that the text has been amended to "include planting containerized shrubs including serviceberry <br />and mountain mahogany and recommended planting practices." It is not clear in the text where <br />mountain mahogany is being planted, size of container stock or if Weedguard is being used. <br />Please clarify location, planting procedures and stock size for the mountain mahogany being <br />planted. <br />This item has been adequately resolved.