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• above). Another potential use of the information provided by these trials may be to <br />provide Colowyo with an avenue for relief of the aspen and tall shrub establishment area <br />expectations for South Taylor should efforts prove to be unsuccessful despite the <br />incorporation of best management practices. <br />The standard interim revegetation monitoring techniques and practices (performed by a <br />third party) applied to the other reclamation areas at Colowyo will be utilized annually to <br />measure progress of the trials through and beyond 2016, when Colowyo, DRMS and <br />CDOW will revisit the expectations for further larger scale establishment of these habitat <br />types once reclamation activities begin in earnest in the South Taylor area (currently <br />expected post 2017). All data will be captured, collated and presented as part of the <br />Annual Reclamation Report provided to DRMS. Alternative methods for complying with <br />the aspen and tall shrub establishment areas may be negotiated with CDOW after the <br />2013 growing season should initial 2011 planting and potential subsequent 2012 re- <br />seeding /replanting efforts prove unsuccessful. <br />1) Colowyo agrees to establish one small (one acre) aspen establishment area on <br />associated disturbance in an area where the original lithology has been previously <br />disturbed. The location of this area will be in the immediate proximity of the South <br />Taylor X coal pod as portrayed below and on Map 28B. The location for this trial <br />represents elevation and aspect characteristics that are very similar to the aspen areas <br />disturbed in the South Taylor area. Slope characteristics are more moderate than the <br />native areas disturbed, but for purposes of implementing and monitoring this trial it was <br />determined essential that access and stability of the test location be manageable. Actual <br />results from the trial should yield information that can be used to apply additional <br />stability and /or sediment control measures on larger areas if this attempt is successful. <br />The specific implementation plan of the site is as follows: <br />a) The area will be regraded in accordance with PMT requirements. <br />b) The area will be tested for overburden suitability as per requirements. <br />c) At least 48 inches of topsoil will be placed to replicate common topsoil depth <br />conditions in the surrounding area in stands of this nature. Once the topsoil <br />has been placed, it will be cross - ripped with a dozer or by other appropriate <br />means to ensure the material is in a loose, rough condition to encourage <br />infiltration of rain/snowmelt and root development. <br />d) The entire trial area will be seeded with the modified Sagebrush Steppe Mix as <br />seen below. Weedguard fabric or it's equivalent will be placed in rows (at <br />intervals of approximately 22 feet) and will be used to severely reduce <br />competition between the containerized plantings and annual weeds and <br />grasses. Please see the "Expected Field Implementation Plan for Aspen/Tall <br />Shrub Field Trials" illustration below. <br />e) Commercially available 2 -3 foot containerized aspen stock will be used for <br />planting purposes from the most similar source elevation available in the area. <br />Based on the volume of containerized plants included in the trial (550), and <br />the expectations of success, a number of (300) live aspen plants within the <br />trial during 2016 will be considered a successful demonstration of Coloywo's <br />ability to proceed further with additional plantings. Supplemental planting of <br />4.15 -13 Revision Date: 6/21/11 <br />Revision No.: TR -84 <br />