2013-04-05_PERMIT FILE - C1981019 (10)

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RULE Z PERMITS provided to allow changes and modification as techniques are refined or expanded. Colowyo will continue to evaluate the results of its reclamation plan each year in consultation with the Division and take advantage of each opportunity to try new plant species and materials and new methods for seeding and erosion control. Supplemental Introduction (Responsive to Stipulation # 8 for PR -02 Given the last statement above and responsive to Stipulation # 8 for PR -02, modified seed mixtures, revegetation metrics, and bond release protocols designed to target specific post- mining land use components are presented within the context of this section (2.05.4) as well as the revegetation requirements, Section 4.15. In effect, reclamation occurring at Colowyo during 2008 and beyond will focus on the replacement of the two primary subcomponents of the pre- mining rangeland land use: 1) grazingland (for domestic livestock), and 2) wildlife habitat (specifically targeting sage grouse brood - rearing habitat). The replacement of these two land use subcomponents will be effected by replacement of two primary revegetation communities: 1) grassland and 2) sagebrush steppe, respectively. Additional "incentive" for this new reclamation approach will be the validation (and modification as necessary) of said techniques necessary to address similar concerns related to greater acreages of potential impact on Colowyo lands located to the West of existing operations. Reclamation beginning in 2008 will be responsive to a new revegetation philosophy utilizing a "prescribed ecological reclamation approach" (PERA) that has been adopted for the Colowyo operation to facilitate creation of a wildlife habitat favorable vegetation community (sagebrush steppe) among the more dominant grasslands necessary for livestock grazing and erosion control. Efforts resulting from this new approach will be subject to a new set of success criteria for bond release as detailed in Section 4.15. Beginning in 2008, revegetation will specifically target livestock rg azing and sage grouse brood rearing habitat, both of which are the two primary components of the Post - mining Rangeland Land Use. Areas designed to target livestock grazing (and incidental / unavoidable grazing by elk) will comprise approximately 60% to 80% of the original (2008 and after) and South Taylor reclaimed landscapes. These areas will principally occupy more steeply sloping ground ( >10% slope) where the grassland community is necessary to preclude excessive erosion, especially from snowmelt. Based on a detailed evaluation of the post- mining topography, the remaining 20% to 40% (estimated) of the reclaimed landscape will afford flat or gently sloping surfaces ( <10% slope) with reduced exposure to erosion. It is on these less exposed more gentle slopes whereby development of wildlife favorable habitats (sagebrush steppe) can be attempted. In this regard, sagebrush communities targeting sage grouse brood - rearing habitat will be attempted in earnest on approximately 20% (or more) of the Post -2008 reclaimed landscape, with the goal of achieving success on at least one -half of this acreage or as otherwise agreed upon between Colowyo and CDRMS. The principal basis of PERA is to rebuild the foundation conditions of target vegetation communities taking into account the appropriate aspects, slopes, and topographic features of the reclaimed landscape. In this manner, targeted communities, as opposed to more simple grasslands will be more strongly encouraged. Potential reclamation techniques to be applied to facilitate the targeting of sagebrush communities include, but are not limited to: 1) taking advantage of site - specific opportunities for development of convex and concave surfaces to encourage snow entrapment; 2) development of small berms along the contour and somewhat perpendicular to prevailing winds, also to encourage snow entrapment; 3) use of native species; 4) severe reduction of grasses in the seed mix; 5) use of only bunch grasses for those taxa planted with sagebrush; 6) sharp increases in the amount of sagebrush seed to be used; 7) extra care to obtain the correct subspecies of sagebrush (vaseyana pauciflora) with a seed source as close as possible to the Axial Basin; 8) extra care to place seed at the ideal time of year (immediately Rule 2 Permits 2.05 -20 Revision Date: 6/11/12 Revision No.: RN -06