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C1981019, TR84 Adequacy No. 3 response <br />June 21, 2011 <br />incorporate the concept of significant variation in soil thickness that would be applied within the <br />South Taylor area. Also make the appropriate changes to Page 4.15-14, bullet 2c. <br />This item has been adequately resolved. <br />4. Page 4.15-13, bullet le - Colowyo has committed to planting commercially available 2-3 foot <br />containerized aspen stock for planting purposes from the most similar source elevation available <br />in the area. Research indicates that the larger the containerized aspen and native shrubs are the <br />better their chances are for survival. The Division recommends that Colowyo use 1 gallon or <br />larger containerized aspen, with at least 10% being 5 gallon containerized trees. <br />This item has been adequately resolved. <br />5. Page 4.15-13, bullet le - It is stated "a number of (300) live aspen plants within the trial during <br />2016 will be considered a successful demonstration..." Please reference CDOW or DRMS <br />literature that supports the standard of 300 stems/acre as being an adequate density. Also include <br />the area units being measured, i.e. stems/acre. Also.make the appropriate changes to page 4.15- <br />14, bullet 2e and page 4.15-16, bullet 3e. <br />This item has been adequately resolved. <br />6. Page 4.15-13, bullet le - It is stated "Supplemental planting of aspen should be initiated in year <br />2012 should survival of the 2011 plantings be very low." Please change first should to will. <br />Also, very low is a subjective phrase and needs clarification. Please reference CDOW literature, <br />applicable studies or DRMS rules documenting at what mortality rate supplemental aspen <br />planting will be initiated. Also make the appropriate changes to page 4.15-14, bullet 2e and page <br />4.15-16, bullet 3e. <br />This item has been adequately resolved. <br />7. Page 4.15-13, bullet lg - The planting configuration of one aspen row (five feet wide) followed <br />by a Sagebrush Steppe mix (17 feet wide) follows the format of aspen studies at Seneca Coal <br />Company Yoast and IIW mines. These studies examined the effects of landscape fabric and <br />irrigation in the survival of aspen and serviceberry but do not address the goal of these field <br />trials, which is creating wildlife habitat. Aspens tend to grow in stands or groves rather than <br />rows. The Division suggests that the planting interval be changed to 4 rows of aspen plantings <br />(4*5' band = 20' aspen band) followed by 4 bands of Sagebrush Steppe mix (4* 17' band = 68' <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.