2012-11-05_REVISION - C1982056 (5)

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Additional field trials by the SCS and the Colorado Yampa Coal Company on Energy Mine No. 1 found the species most suitable for erosion control on reclaimed lands were meadow brome, smooth brome, and intermediate wheatgrass. Cicer milkvetch also performed satisfactorily. As concluded in the above cited reports, introduced species are capable of rapidly stabilizing disturbed areas. The ability of, exotic species to effectively control erosion is attributable to the early, rapid growth they exhibit and their survival characteristics under adverse conditions. These same reports document that the introduced species are capable of providing a permanent vegetation cover, have a longer life span and are more prolific than some of the slower developing native species. The proposed introduced species are currently encountered in Routt County. All are deemed desirable from a range seeding and wildlife management standpoint. Their nutritional value for and compatibility with livestock and wildlife are well documented. Mule deer preferences for intermediate wheatgrass, desert wheatgrass, orchardgrass, timothy, brome grass, alfalfa, and milkvetch are documented by Kufeld, et. al., (1973). Elk preferences are reported by Kufeld (1973) to include desert wheatgrass, timothy, brome, alfalfa, milkvetch and small burnet. Plummer, et. al., (1968) report that studies in Utah have shown big -game prefer alfalfa, small burnet, desert wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, smooth brome, and orchardgrass. Livestock forage preference for the proposed introduced species has been documented by Marquiss, et. al., (1974). Palatability ratings in order of descending preferences were: smooth brome, intermediate wheatgrass, pubescent wheatgrass, desert wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, and beardless wheatgrass. In a study spanning almost 30 years in which some 127 species of grasses were planted, Gomm (1969) 2.05 -42