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. The Division discussed this proposed "mother plant" concept with Dr. Wayne Shepperd of the U.S. <br />Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Dr. Sheppetd is a recognized audtority on aspen <br />regeneration and management, and was author of co-author of the papers referenced in the initial <br />adequary letter. Dr. Shepperd stated that he felt the primary limiting factors with respect to <br />establishing aspen plantings on mitred areas were insufficient moisture Eor establishment and <br />excessive browsing. He indicated that it was almost certainly the case that most native aspen cones <br />were established during climadc periods cooler and wetter than present, which overlapped with <br />periods of lower herbivore abundance. <br />Dr. Sheppard expressed general concurrence with the mother plant concept, with several caveats. <br />First, he felt that supplemental irrgadon might need to be carried out for two or possibly mote <br />growing seasons. Second, he indicated that aspen does not root adventitiously as does cottonwood, <br />and that the deep planting described might kill the trees. Third, he stated that if appreciable survival <br />of clonal sprouts from dte mother trees were m be expected, it would be necessary to protect the <br />sprouts from excessive browsing, probably by fencing azeas of approximately an acre, with mother <br />trees in the approxunate center. Finally, he recommended that the mother trees should be top-pruned <br />for a more balanced root/shoot ratio at the time of planting <br />• <br />Following the Division's discussion with Dr. Shepperd, SCC initiated further inquiry into potential <br />aspen reestablishment techniques. Dr. Shepperd responded by submitting a proposal to further <br />investigate aspen reestablishment through a series of sequential experiments ro be conducted in a test <br />plot on reclaimed ground at Seneca II-W. The objectives of this experimental test plot aze to <br />determine the feasibility of using irrigation to improve initial transplant survival, and if successful, <br />subsequently investigate the other questions of gmwth and ultimate clonal reestablishment of aspen. <br />SCC has agreed/committed to proceed with this test plot approach. <br />SCC placed live handled topsoil (Oct and Nov. 2002} in a recently reclaimed azea of the "A" Pit The <br />proposed studq plot will be established within this area. The aspens to be transplanted will be <br />obtained from the following sources, listed according to preference: <br />• Saplings from aspen stands located on the mine site or lands owned by SCC. <br />• Nursery grown stock from seed collected in sinvlar climatic conditions. <br />• Saplings from clear-cut areas in the National Forest (f a permit can be acquired from USFS}. <br />u <br />~~ <br />ao,a~o,t trim <br />