2011-05-23_REVISION - C1981019 (2)

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' Colowyo Response - PR3 adequacy No. 2 7 May 6, 2011 Rule 2.04.10 - Vegetation Information 1. Page 57, Methods, Sample Layout - In the second paragraph on this page, wetlands are described as one of the four minor plant communities along with improved pasture, cultivated land and disturbed areas. In the Sample Layout paragraph further on in the text, wetland is combined with other bottomland types in the bottomland category. Please clarify which category (bottomland or minor plant community) wetlands have been categorized for the purpose of community inventory. Make similar changes in the last paragraph on page 59 and Table 2.04.10-33 as needed. CCC's response adequately resolves this item. 2. Page 63, second paragraph, the statement is made that the sagebrush reference area has experienced "die-off' of sagebrush due to the recent drought and down-cutting as explained in the third bullet on page 62. Down-cutting is a phenomenon that lowers the water table significantly; as such, the water table likely will not recover to levels experienced before the down-cut. Please therefore, provide further explanation and evidence to support the prediction: "it is anticipated that sage reinvasion will occur over the next several years", as this may have significant effects on the vegetative characteristics of the reference area. CCC's response adequately resolves this item. 3. Page 69, Minor Vegetation Communities and Other Designations - In this section five minor communities are described: improved pasture, sage grouse target habitat reference area, cultivated cropland, disturbed areas and wetlands. In contrast, the introduction on page 57 describes 4 minor community types. The explanation provided by Colowyo for not including the sage grouse reference area as a minor community is that "the sage grouse habitat target reference area was only established should the need arise to obtain habitat related parameters" and should be considered as an "other designation." Please revise the text of the `Minor Vegetation Communities and Other Designations' section so it is clear which communities are considered the `minor communities' and which are considered `other communities.' Also, clarify the purpose of the paragraph about noxious weeds in this section. The formatting suggests that it is considered a minor plant community. Colowyo's Response: Colowyo has added sub-headings to this section of the text to more easily define the plant communities considered "Minor Vegetation Communities " and those that should be considered "Other Designated Vegetation Communities ". 4. On Map 4C: Vegetation: The proposed Aspen reference area and Juniper Scrub reference area extend beyond the proposed Colowyo permit area boundary. Please redraw the limits of the reference areas so that the reference areas are contained within the proposed permit area. Or demonstrate to the Division that the management of the reference areas will remain under the permittee's control throughout the period of extended liability in accordance with Rule 4.15.7(3)(b)(ii). Specifically, please address the portions of the proposed Aspen reference area in T3N, R94W, Section 16, and the Juniper scrub reference area in T4N, R93W Section 18.