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(Colorado State University, 1979). This study employed a lower <br />seeding rate than proposed herein. Even assuming poor survival of the <br />seeded shrub species, sites planted to the pastureland mixture should <br />easily meet the woody plan density of 1,000 stems per acre proposed <br />herein. <br />Additional establishment is expected from the natural invasion of <br />shrubs. Subsoil lacking viable shrub seeds was reapplied along Fish <br />Creek at Energy Mine No. 2 and over 500 shrubs per acre were <br />established by wind blown seed dispersion. Crofts and Parkin (1979) <br />reported greater shrub densities and diversity on spoils at the Osage <br />Mine that were revegetated with a seed mixture lacking shrubs than on <br />adjacent undisturbed sagebrush communities. Similar results were <br />obtained by Draves and Berg (1978) on the ColoWyo Mine. Based upon <br />the proceeding studies, TCC is confident ,hat natural plant <br />successional processes are capable of producing at least the proposed <br />1,000 stem per acre woody plant density. Implen ntation of the shrub <br />seeding techniques outlined under this Rule, will ensure the proposed <br />success standard of 1,000 stems per acre is achie‘:d. <br />Field Trials <br />The soil stabilization procedures, species mixtures, and seeding times <br />proposed in this permit application are very similar to those utilized <br />to successfully reclaim adjacent areas. Since the nearby test plots <br />have been thoroughly evaluated and the reclamation practices adjusted <br />accordingly, Twentymile Coal Company does not intend to conduct field <br />trials. <br />Grazing Trials <br />All lands to be reclaimed as pastureland will be grazed by livestock <br />to document the ability of revegetated tracts to support grazing <br />animals at a carrying capacity approximately equal to that for similar <br />properly managed non -mined lands. <br />2.05 -53 <br />