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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.10 ReclamationTABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 BACKGROUND Climatic Zones within the NPR Upper Zone 2 Middle Zone 2 Lower Zone 3 RECLAMATION CHALLENGES AND AVOIDANCE RECOMMENDATIONS RECLAMATION CONSIDERATIONS 5 Timing of Re- vegetation Work 5 Topsoil Handling 6 Use of Fertilizer 6 Use of Muleh 7 Use of Certified Seed 7 Harvesting Local Seed 7 Seed Testing 8 Inoculation of Legumes 8 Inoculation of Sterile Soils 8 Determination of Pure Live Seed (PLS) ratio 8 SEED MIXTURE RECOMMENDATIONS 9 Reclamation Monitoring 1 1 Weeds 12 REFERENCES 16 INTRODUCTION This document is a reclamation guide for use in restoration of lands on Encana's North Parachute Ranch, where oil and gas development activities have disturbed the surface by the construction of well pads. roads, and pipelines. Encana has asked Westwater Engineering to provide recommendations that will facilitate initial re- vegetation and re- establishment of natural succession of native plant species. This plan is based on the combined knowledge of WestWater's biologists (Michael W. Klish, Rusty Roberts and Bill Clark), who have personal experience in the project area vicinity that spans more than 30 years each, and available literature provided in the reference section. Encana's land use objective for the North Parachute Ranch is to re- establish a self - sustaining vegetation cover integrated with the surrounding ecosystems. The plan is a "working document" and subject to amendment and revision based upon new information and changes in land use at NPR. The recommendations included herein apply to disturbances on upland plant communities. Recommendations for wetland habitats are not included as disturbance to these plant communities are expected to be minimal. This document provides recommendations for the following major subject areas: (1) Reclamation Challenges and Critical Area Avoidance (2) Reclamation (3) NPR Seed Mixtures (l) Reclamation Monitoring BACKGROUND Climatic Zones within the PR There are three climatic zones within the NPR and are referred to as the Upper, Middle and Lower Zones. Similar precipitation patterns, soils and plant communities exist within the three zones. The Upper Zone consists of lands above the rimrock escarpment of the Roan Plateau at elevations between 7,500 to 8,500 feet; excluding slopes greater than 20 %, south facing areas. The Middle Zone consists of lands between the escarpment of the plateau to the toe of the slope along the valley floors at elevations between 7,500 and 6,000; including steep, south facing slopes above 7,500 feet. The Lower Zone consists of the lower terraces and floodplains along the valley bottoms of the major drainages below elevations of 6,000 feet. The location of NPR is shown on Figure 1 (attached), a 2005 aerial photo showing the general locations of the Upper, Middle and Lower Zones. NPR Reclamation Plan 1 May 2006 Upper Zone The Upper Zone receives 16 to 25 inches of annual precipitation. A majority of the annual precipitation is received during non - growing season (late fall winter). Primary plant communities in the Upper Zone are Mountain Big Sagebrush, Wheatgrass and Upland Deciduous Shrub;'Wheatgrass shrublands with smaller occurrences of Aspen and Douglas Fir forests and riparian shrub. tree and wetland habitats. The plant communities in the Upper Zone have the greatest diversity of plant species. Most of these species have adapted mechanisms for establishment and survival in the presence of the competition exerted by other species in the community. These camrnunkies are dominated by short-lived cool season bunch grasses, which are an important factor in providing interspaces for establishment and maintenance of (orbs and shrubs within the community. Some of the major species in the Upper Zone are listed in the following table. Major Native Plant Species within select Upper Zone Plant Communities Grass /Grass like Forbs Shrubs Letterman Needlegrass Mountain Lupine Mountain Big Sagebrush Colombia Needlegrass Silky Lupine Antelope Bitterbrush Slender Wheatgrass Rocky Mtn. Penstetnon Mountain Snowberry Mountain Brorne Watson Penstemon Low Rabbitbnrsh Nodding Brome Sulphur Buckwheat Utah Serviceberry Gambel's Oakbrush Green Ncedlegrass American Vetch Idaho Fescue Western Yarrow Chokecherry Red Elderberry Elk Sedge Many- Flowered Phlox Basin Wildrye Arrowleaf balsamroot Blue Wildrve Upper Zone Summary Soils within this zone are primarily loam textured soils within the Parachute-Rhone-lrigul series. These soils are mostly well - drained, cool soils with dark - colored, organic -rich surface layers derived from shale and sandstone. Soil textures above the rim are generally loath with loam to clay loam sub -soils and range in depth from <20 "on ridges to >60" in swales. All of the upland soils above the ring are in low to medium erosion classes (BLM, 2004, Fox, et al., 1973). Middle Zone The Middle Zone receives 13 to 1.4 inches of annual precipitation. A majority of the annual precipitation is received during non - growing season (late falliwinter). A significant portion of this zone consists of unstable slopes that are relatively barren of any vegetation. According to Fox, et al., 1973, these barren slopes are fairly erosion resistant if undisturbed. Primary plant communities on more stable slopes are Bunchgrass/Forb Open Grassland, Upland Deciduous Shrub /Wheatgrass shrublands, Pinyon/Juniper woodlands and Douglas Fir forests. These communities are dominated by cool season bunch grasses. NPR Rzclamation Plan 2 May 2006 Major Native Plant Species within select Middle Zone Plant Communities Grass /Grass like Forbs Shrubs Bluebunch Wheatgrass Fringed Sage (Half- Shrub) Utah Serviceberry. Mountain Big Sagebrush Indian Ricegrass Watson Penstemon Thickspike bVheatgrass Sulphur Buckwheat Antelope Bitterbrush Green Needlegrass Western Yarrow _ Mountain Mahogany Junegrass Levis Flax Camber s Oakbrush Basin Wildrye Silky Lupine Mountain Snowberry Elk Sedge Utah Sweetvetch Low Rabbitbrush Middle Zone Summary The area below the rim encoinpassing the cliffs, talus and steep colluvial slopes at the base of the cliffs are derived from the Green River shale. Below the cliffs and talus is a zone of soils formed from colluvium and Wasatch Formation. Soils are shallow, poorly developed and there are many rock outcrops and badlands. Badlands are steep, nearly barren areas dissected by many ephemeral drainages. Badlands of the Wasatch Formation content and are calcareous. Lower Lone Soils on the upper slopes of this zone have a thin, organic -rich surface layer and little development of soil horizons. Soils on lower slopes are shallow to moderately deep and are well- drained. Surface texture is loam, clay loam, or silty clay loam with variable amounts of gravel, cobbles and boulders, talus slopes and colluvial slopes below rock outcrops. Soils are moderate to highly alkaline. Sub -soils usually have higher clay Erosion hazard is usually severe (BLM, 2004). The Lower Zone receives 10 to 13 inches of annual precipitation. A majority of the annual precipitation is received during non - growing season (late fall /winter). This zone contains some of the most arid sites. Primary plant communities in the Lower Zone on benches and terraces are Wyoming Big Sagebrush /Wheatgrass shrublands grading to salt desert shrubs like fourwing saltbush or shadscale on the most arid sires. The tloodplain communities include Basin Big Sagebrush/Greasewood shrublands on old tloodplain terraces and streamside riparian woodlands with cottonwood or box -elder habitats. Cool- season bunchgrasses or cool- season sod-forming grasses or both dominate plant communities in the Lower Zone. NPR Reclamation Plan 3 May 2006 Major Native Plant Sjecies within select Lower Zone Plant Communities Grass /Grass like Forbs Shrubs Western Wheatgrass floods Phlox Wyoming Big Sagebrush Indian Ricegrass Scarlet Globemallow Basin Big Sagebrush Needle- and - Thread Grass Utah Sweetvetch Greasewood Bottlebrush Squirreltail Silverleaf Lupine Rubber Rabbitbrush Junegrass Lewis Flax Antelope Bitterbrush Sandberg Bluegrass Longleaf Phlox Low Rabbitbrush Bluebunch Whcatcrass Thickleaf Pensternon Broom Snakeweed Basin Wildrye Winterfat Peachleaf willow Shadscale Saltbush. Bebb willow Four Wing Saltbush Riparian Habitat in the Lower Zone Streams are narrow and low and high points in the annual hydrograph are widely divergent. Riparian plant communities below the cliffs are deciduous woodlands on lower stream terraces and tloodplains dominated by Fremont cottonwood at lower elevations and narrowleaf and box - elder at higher elevations up to the escarpments. Mature box -elder woodlands with a dense understory of shrubs including river birch, alder and red -osier dogwood dominate the lower West Fork immediately below the West Fork Falls. The East Fork woodlands may include Douglas fir. Woody plant diversity is greatest in andisturbed riparian habitat in this zone. Major Native Plant Species within select Lower Zone Riparian Communities Grass /Grass like Forbs Shrubs/Trees Inland salt■rass Western white clematis Fremont cottonwood Foxtail barley Marsh -elder Narrowleafcottonwood Arctic rush Wild licorice Box -elder Switchgrass Wild mint Black chokecherry Western Wheatgrass Brook cinquefoil Skunkbush sumac Prairie cordgrass Canada goldenrod Wood's rose Golden currant Sandbar willow Peachleaf willow Bebb willow Lower Zone Sumniary Soils in the lower zone are calcareous, moderate to strongly alkaline, some highly saline, towns and silty clay loants on benches, terraces and alluvial fans. Floodplain soils are sandy loam or loam stratified with sand, gravel or cobbles derived from shale or sandstone. Soils formed in the alluvium are derived from sandstones, shales and marls and appear on benches, terraces, alluvial NPR Reclamation Plan 4 May 2006 fans and tloodplains in the Lower Zone. Surface texture ranges from loam and sandy loam to clay loam with sub -soils of sandy loam to day (Fox, et. al 1973 and BLMI, 2004). RECLAMATION CHALLENGES AND AVOIDANCE RECONIMENDATIONS North Parachute Ranch presents extreme reclamation challenges from a broad array of climate and geomorphological factors inherent to the site. These factors often act synergistically and increase the negative effects exponentially. These factors include: • Steep slopes and potential for soil movement. • Effective soil moisture issues including timing of seedin 2 to coincide with natural precipitation. • Difficulty in re-contouring to blend with extreme slopes of natural topography. • Thin soils due to infertility from slope, exposure and soil source materials. • Slumps (instability, difficulty in holding slopes). • Difficulty preventing. establishtnent of noxious weeds in disntrbed land. • Riparian areas especially those dominated by mature cottonwoodsttbox- elder!shrubs (due to wildlife and water quality value and long -term needed to establish large trees). Such areas, if disturbed, are very likely to require more time and expense to effectively reclaim. For example, riparian woodland and shrubland disturbances may require installation of live plant materials in the form of containerized trees and shrubs. Installation and three years of careful oversight and watering of these woody species to insure survival is far more costly than disturbance on sites, which can be successfully re- seeded. In addition to susceptibility to erosion and sediment problems, difficult, listed noxious weeds also present a reclamation challenge of huge proportions. For these reasons, it is recommended livestock grazing be postponed indefinitely. Canada thistle on the West Fork and houndstongue on the East Fork seriously threaten riparian plant communities. Both problems are exasperated by grazing of livestock upstream from NPR property. Pntdence suggests reducing the problem as much as possible and one technique for slowing the spread of invasive weeds is to remove livestock. Livestock decrease native plant abilities to compete with invasive species. Livestock can physically move weed seeds around the property in their coats or by ingesting and excreting viable weed seeds. RECLAMATION CONSIDERATIONS This section provides recommendations for actions that should be taken in conjunction with seeding of sites undergoing reclamation. Timing of Re- vegetation Work Timing of re- vegetation is critical to the success of the work. Replacement of topsoil should occur just prior to re- seeding to prevent early germination and establishment of highly competitive annual weeds. In nearly all cases, re- vegetation should occur as quickly as possible NPR Reclamation Plan 5 May 2006 after topsoiling, in order to maintain soil nutrients and microbe levels, discourage weed invasion, and control erosion. Re- seeding should be timed to coincide immediately prior to the season of greatest precipitation, late fall'winter. Seed of many native plant species require a period of freezing temperatures prior to germination which ensures the seed will geminate in spring when soil moisture conditions are optimum for establishment and survival of the seedling. Also, several native species, such as big sagebrush, begin their slow germination process under snow cover. Ideally, topsoil replacement should occur in late August and September followed by re- seeding in late September to early Decetnber prior to freezing soil surface. If re- vegetation occurs too early, seeds are subjected to unnecessary exposure to seed predators and spoilage. If it occurs too late (spring planting), seeds and plants may encounter insufficient moisture to genninate or to survive after germination, and will be faced with higher competition from annual weeds. Topsoil Handling Proper handling and storage of topsoil is critical to successful re- vegetation, especially in the case of re- establishing important native plant species on disturbed areas. The topsoil contains soil microbes (bacteria, tnicorrhiza, invertebrates) and seed banks of viable seed for the native plants present on the site. Many native plant species depend upon the activity of soil. microbes for germination in some instances and for establish and survival of most seedlings. Topsoil is usually stripped from a site and stored in the smallest place possible in deep, unstable piles. Stockpiling topsoil in deep, unstable piles for long periods (over 30 days) results in the loss or limitation of topsoil microbes and viable seed. This is especially so where soils are stockpiled more than several feet in height and biological activity is diminished from lack of oxygen. Topsoil should be protected from erosion and weed invasion. Topsoil should be stockpiled in piles no deeper than 2 feet with stable slopes and be positioned to minimize exposure to wind and water erosion. Topsoil piles stored for longer than 30 days should be immediately seeded to provide cover to reduce erosion, provide competition for weed species, and to maintain viability of the soil fungi and microbe communities. Several fast germinating sterile cover crops ("Regreen" and "Quickguard ") are commercially available that should be used for short period storage of topsoil. Topsoil stored for more than one growing season should be seeded with one of the recommended seed mixes based upon the zone the site is in. Using the recommended seed mixes on Tong -term storage piles will help maintain biological activity and provide a seed bank of viable seed. If long -term stockpiling or deep stockpiling can not be avoided, application of micorrhizal inoculants (see section below) may be beneficial. Use of Fertilizer Use of fertilizer should not be used in the reclamation of arid or semi -arid sites. These areas are typically at high risk of invasion by exotic annual weeds, almost all of which are favored by higher levels of nitrogen. Native western species are well adapted to the low fertility of soils in these areas. There are many cases of severe weed infestations, which are directly attributable to NPR Reclamation Plan 6 May 2006 addition of nitrogen. In addition to the considerable cost incurred, the routine use of fertilizer may well trigger problems with undesirable annual invaders, which can be essentially impossible to correct. Use of Mulch Mulch should be used only where there are specific indications for its application, and not as a routine element in reclamation. It may be useful in wetter areas or on extremely steep areas where severe erosion potential exists. On drier upland areas there are a number of potential problems. These include: wicking of soil moisture leading to increased evaporation, alteration of carbon: nitrogen ratios, attraction of rodent and invertebrates to seed and seedling predators, and plant competition from grain or weed seeds in the mulch. Where mulch is used, it is imperative that it be retained either by mechanical crimping, application of a tackifier, or with netting. These materials and the time required for their application add substantially to reclamation costs. Use of Certified Seed The two types ofcertitied seed are "Blue Tagged Certified Seed" and "Yellow Tagged Source Identified Seed ". Certified Seed (Blue Tag): Seed Certification is the means of maintaining the pedigree (genetically pure seed) of a specific variety of seed. Each state has a seed certifying agency or crop improvement association that certifies seed. Blue Tagged Certified Seed must meet high purity and germination standards and have a low weed content, usually less than 0.25 percent. Blue tagged certified seed can not contain any prohibited noxious weeds of the state of certification. Many native species are now available in certified cultivars and in most cases the certified cultivars are lower cost. Source Identified Seed (Yellow Tim): There is a strong market for native plant materials, but there may not be certified ecotypes available due to a lack of breeding, low supply, or high cost to produce, or unreliable demand. In most cases, native plant material should be acquired from harvest areas with the same or higher latitude of the area of intended use. State seed laws only require that the actual state of origin be on the label. To receive seed from the area you designate, it is advisable to request "Source Identified Seed" in order to ensure that a certification agency has verified the exact location from which the seed was harvested. Source Identified certification is in place in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. Yellow tags do not guarantee that the seed is free of noxious weeds. Buyers should refer to the vendor's label for analysis and weed content, or better yet, test the seed themselves. Harvesting Local Seed Plant species commonly display considerable site adaptation and variability. Thus seed collected far from its eventual planting site often does Tess well than seed of the same species collected closer to the planting site. Most professional seed suppliers record the collection site, and it may be possible to choose seed that is from locally adapted plants. If such seed is not available, the possibility of contracting with collectors to obtain local seed should be investigated. NPR R�claniation Plan 7 May 2006 Seed Testing Testing seed is the only way to insure the quality of the seed (purity and viability) and that no undesirable species are present. Purity tests will show the percentages o'crop, weed and inert matter (material other than seed such as sterns or chaff), and show ifthe percentage of each species in the mix meets the standards ordered. The teens germination and viability are sometimes used interchangeably, but do not have the same meaning. A germination test will determine how seeds perform wider favorable conditions; however, some seeds are dormant and do not germinate even though they are still alive. Dormant seeds have the potential to germinate if dormancy is broken, usually through time and or physiological stimulus. A viability test wi?1 show the sum of the percent germinated and percent dormant seeds in a seed lot, providing information on the potential germination of the lot. Proper seed sampling is very important. The test results received can be no better than the sample sent in. Samples should be sent to a seed lab that tests according to the standards established by the National Association of Official Seed Certification Analysts. inoculation of Legumes Most legume seeds should be treated with commercially available Rhi_obirrm inoculants to ensure that they are able to make best advantage of their capabilities for nitrogen fixation. Legumes included in seed mixes are: American Vetch, Cicer's Milkvetch, Sainfoin, and Utah Sweetvetch. Inoculation of Sterile Soils Arbuscular myconuiiza (fungi) are components of live topsoil and form symbiotic relationships with plant roots. There are two types arcl they are especially critical fear plants in infertile soils or drought prone areas such as those found on NPR. In most cases on NPR, endomycorrhiza should be used to inoculate the soil since this is the type of fungi that associates with herbaceous and broadleafed woody plants. If coniferous species such as pinyon pine, Utah juniper, or Douglas fir are prescribed in reclamation, an ectornycorrhizal fungi would also be desirable. Improperly stored topsoil and areas with little or no topsoil should be treated with commercial mycorrhiza (Barrow, 1995). Mycorrihizal inoculants are available in two forms: as a granular form for application during seeding, and as a powder for coating of seeds prior to seeding. Granular forms are typically applied at a rate of 20 lbslacre and powder inoculents are applied to the seed at a rate of l Ibslacre. When broadcast seeded, the granular form tnust be incorporated into the soil with seed by harrowing. Determination of Pure Live Seed (PLS) Ratio Before a seed application rate can be determined it is necessary to determine the percentage of pure live seed (pis) in the supplied seed. Seed may contain weed seed, seed of other species, chaff, sand, and other inert material, and broken seeds. PLS equals the percent purity times the percent germination. Most species are sold on a PLS basis, with the price adjusted accordingly. When given a choice between buying on a PLS or bulk basis, PLS is always preferable. Less NPR Reclamation Plan 8 May 2006 expensive seeds with lower purity and germination may actually cost more on a PLS basis than more expensive seed. SEED MIXTURE RECOMMENDATIONS The following seed mixtures Include native grasses that 1) provide good soil protection, 2) are not overly competitive to allow native torbs and shrubs to repopulate disturbed areas, and are commercially available in quantities for small acreage projects. Mountain big sagebrush is not included in the mixture as it is expected to repopulate disturbance from undisturbed stands (anticipated disturbances are small /linear). Sagebrush also requires a different seeding strategy (broadcast on frozen soil or on early snow cover). Activities that result in retnoval of areas greater than 5 acres of sagebrush, and are not within 100 feet of sagebrush to provide seed source may need to have sagebrush included in the seed mixture. Recommended Seed Mix for Upper Zone Disturbances Species Variety (cultivar) ]. Seeding Rate (PLS * /Ac) arasss Slender TVheatirass San Luis 3.0 lbs Mountain Brome Garnet 2.0 Ibs Nodding Brame 2.0 lbs Idaho Fescue or Letterman's Needlegrass 1.0 lbs ._ . Rocky Mtn. Penstc rnon on 1.0 Ibs Cicer Milkvetch 1.0 lbs Utah Sweetvetch 1.0 Ibs Western Yarrow 0.5 lbs American Vetch 1.0 Ibs Shrub Ant�1ope Biucrbrush 2.0 lbs *Pure Live Seed Total 14.5 lbsfplslac NPR Reclamation Plan 9 May 2006 Recommended Seed Mix for Middle Zone Disturbances S •ecies Variety (cultivar) 1 Seeding Rate (PLS` /Ac) Seeding Rate (PLS* /Ac) Slender Wheatgrass San Luis 3.0 Ibs Bluebunch Wheatgrass or Beardless Bluebunch P -7 preferTed, Goldar Anatone, or Whitmar 2.0 Ibs Thickspike Wheatgrass Critana 2.0 lbs Indian Ricegrass Rimrock 1.0 Ibs 4.1, 0 .r . Rocky NIra, Penstemon 1.0 Ibs 1.0 lbs Utah Sweetvetch 1.0 lbs Western Yarrow 0.5 lbs Cicer Nlilkvetch 1.0 lbs American Vetch 1.0 lbs 5.11,r05- Miliallit s I {yy .. Antelope Bitterbrush Four -wing Saltbush 1.0 lbs Mountain Mahogany 1.0 lbs 1.0 lbs Four -wing Saltbush Rincon 1.0 Ibs *Pure Live Seed Total 15.5 lbs pls /ac Recommended Seed Mix for Lower Zone Disturbances Species Variet(cultivar) Seeding Rate (PLS* /Ac) Gasses ....:..:. -•- Western Wheatgrass Arriba 3.0 lbs Needle- and - Thread Grass 1.0 Ibs Thickspike Wheatgrass Critana 2.0 Ibs Indian Ricegrass _ Rimrock 2.0 Ibs Bluebunch Wheatgrass or Beardless Bluebunch P7 preferred, Goldar, Anatone or'Vhitnlar 1.0 Ibs FO OS Scarlet Globemallow 0.5 lbs Utah Sweetvetch 1.0 Ibs Cicer NI ilkvetch 0.5 lbs Lewis Flax 0.5 lbs 5.11,r05- Miliallit Rubber rabbitbrush 1.0 Ibs Four -wing Saltbush Wytana 1,0 lbs Gardner Saltbush and/or Shadscale Saltbush 1.0 lbs *Pure Live Seed Total 14.5 Ibs pls /ac NPR Reclamation Plan 10 May 2006 Recommended Seed Mix for Lower Zone Riparian Disturbances Species Variety (cultivar) Seeding Rate (PLS * /21c) Western Wheatvrass Arriba 3.0 Ibs. Bluebunch Wheatgrass P -7 2.0 Ibs. Basin Wildryc Magnar 2.0 Canby Blue rays Canbar 0.5 Western Yarrow 0.5 Utah S« eetvetch 1.0 Scarlet alobemallow 0.5 y%�'� }�y¢ `li. �'$' fy"y, ;y'i'1 {y��� . •u �// . ,, j� S i .1 • 6F' r2 .:' ....t0 . ,, - , ��. 't 3' {{ ((jjr4t Jr' t ''''77' �Ti. J :tcti ir,', �ll! ld.�a.J.�...j�. CS1trb }.-.t lt+r.t -14�; 4(" �ja`�rtlp �S j,'� I.r .t� y X 41t.41 11 !'t } � Fourwing saltl:ush 1.0 Skunkbush Sumac 0.5 *Pure Live Seed Total 11.0 Ibs /pls /acre Attached as an Appendix is the table Reclamation Seed Mix Preferred Species for North Parachute Ranch Plant Commuities, EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. listing potential species suitable for reclamation work on NPR. The list is provided to account for site diversity, unstable prices and availability of plants useful for reclamation. The table can be used to replace a single, unavailable species or to develop a complete seed mix. Of great importance is the soil texture adaptation information in the Appendix. Species with wide ranges of tolerance (i.e., species with adaptation ratings of mostly twos and threes) should be selected whenever possible. it is necessary to adjust the total number of seeds planted per square foot to precipitation. soil moisture and texture, slope and aspect. In the Lower Zone and riparian terraces fewer total seeds per square foot will likely yield better results if seedling plants are not over- whelmed by total numbers of plants. in the Middle Zone of NPR, more seeds can be planted due to generally higher precipitation and better soils in localized areas, while Upper Zone precipitation and deeper soils will successfully sustain higher numbers of seedlings per square foot. Grasses have consistently performed better than forbs or shrubs in land reclamation. More species of grasses should be in a mix than forbs or shnibs except in the case of shrub -only plantings. Species selected and the number of seeds per square foot allocated to that species are based on soil, zone, and experience in similar situations with other plantings. Generally, Lower Zone and riparian area recipes should have fewer species of plants in the mix, e.g. three grasses,. one forb and one shrub for a total of five species in the mix. Middle Zone mixes should have a moderate number of species of plants in a mix, e.g. four grasses, two forbs and one shrub species for a total of seven species in a mix. Upper zones can have as many as nine species in a mix including four grasses, two or three forbs and two or three shrubs. Reclamation Monitoring Success of revegetation should be judged on the effectiveness of the vegetation for the post - development land use of the property, and the extent of cover compared to the cover occurring in natural vegetation of the area. Projected cover of desirable species should be based on cover NPR Reclamation Plan 11 May 2006 measured in undisturbed reference areas (not including non - native, invasive species such as noxious weeds). A Natural Reference Area for each zone should be established in order to measure the success of reclamation. Transects would be established in each zone establish for representative plant communities to enable biologists to determine if desirable species have been successfully established. if they provide sufficient aerial cover to adequately protect the site from erosion and invasive weeds. Reclamation Monitoring will provide evidence of whether a self-sustaining plant community has been established and whether vegetative processes such as reproduction and seedling establishment are occurring. Transects in late spring and late sutntner will provide identification and contribution of most if not all dominant plants found on NPR ( Ferchau, 1973). Monitoring results can be compared to studies conducted for oil shale projects in the 1970's. Ferchau, 1973 covers the ExxonMobil property adjacent to much of NPR lands. Environmental studies conducted on NPR by previous owner Union Oil of California should be located and could serve as reference information. Weeds The need to cooperate with adjoining landowners, especially those upstream, to reduce and control invasion of noxious weeds is imperative. Two species, Canada Thistle and Houndstongue are currently invading undisturbed NPR lands on the East and West Forks of Parachute Creek from adjoining private and public lands. Encana needs the cooperation and assistance from adjoining landowners to control this serious problem. A separate integrated vegetation and noxious weed management plan listing and locating all known populations of noxious weeds on NPR is in preparation. NPR Reclamation Plan 12 May 2006 Representative views or =Tent conditions retlect the diversity of plant communities on NPR. Upper Zone Ridgetop Shrublands Lower Zone Benches East Fork Parachute Creek Riparian NPR Reclamation Plan Middle Zone cliffs, colluvium, harsh slope and aspect Riparian Woodlands Below West Fork Falls. 13 4lay 2006 Cross Reference of Names of Plant Species used in Document Common Name Scientific Name Grasses /Grass Like Basin Wildrye Letimus cinereirs Bluebunch Wheatgrass, Beardless Psettdaroegneria spicata ssp. iner ►tars Bluebunch Wheatgrass, Bearded Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata Blue Wildtye El:%rnus Warrens Bottlebrush Squirreltail El✓mus elyrnoides Canada thistle Cirslu►n arvease Columbia Needlegrass Achnather-i nr nelsonii s v, dorei Elk Sedge Carexgeveri Green Needlegrass Nassella viriclula FIoundstongue Cmoglossum officinale Idaho Fescue Festuca idahoensis Indian Ricegrass Achnatherum hvnrenoides_ Letterman Needlegrass Achnatherum lettermanii Mountain Brome Bromus mat •mauls Needle & Thread Grass Hesperostipa comata ssp. contata Nodding Brame Bromus anonialus Prairie Junegrass Koeleria cristata Sandberg Bluegrass Poa sandlhergii Slender Wheatgrass Efvmus trachvcaulus ssp. trachvcaulus Thickspike Wheatgrass Elvmns lanceolatus s.syt. lanceo /cats Western Wheatgrass Pasc'opyrlliir sinithii ,JForbs. American Vetch Vida americana Arrowleaf Balsamrool Balsamorrhi :a sagitata Cicer Milkvetch Astragalus cicer Fringed sagebrush (halt - shrub) Artemisia frigida Lewis Blue Flax Linum lewisii Longleaf Phlox Phlox longifolia Many-flowered Phlox Phlox rnultiflora Mountain Lupine Lupinus argenteus ssp, rubricattlis Rocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia Scarlet Globemallow Sphaerakea coccinea Scarlet Indian Paintbrush Casti/leja miniata Silky Lupine Lupinus sericeus SiIverleaf Lupine Lupinus argenteus Small Burnet Sanguisorba minor Sulfur Buckwheat Eriogonum u►nbellatum Thickleaf Penstemon Penstemon pachvphvllus Utah Sweetvetch fiedvsaruna boreale Watson Penstemon Penstemon wasionii Western Yarrow Achillea lanulosca NPR Reclamation Plan 14 May 2006 Western Yarrow .- lchillea inillefolium ssp. occidentalis Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Castilleja linariae/blia 1 Shrubs Antelope Bitterbruslt Purshia tridentata Big Sagebrush, Basin Artentisia tridentata ssp. iridentcta Artemisia tridentata ssp. vasevana Big Sagebrush, Mountain Big Sagebrush, 'Wyoming Artemisia tridentata ssp. 1• vomingensis Broom Snakeweed Xanthocephalunt sarotltrae Chokecherry Prttntts virginiana Four -wing Saltbush Atriple.v canescens Gambel Oak Quercus gambelii Gardner Saltbush Atri,ler gardneri Low Rabbitbrush Chrvsotllamnus viscidiflorus Mountain Snowberry Svmphoricalpos oreophiltts Red Elderberry San Mims racemosa Rubber Rabbitbrush Ericcuneria nauseosus ssp. nauseosus Skunkbush Sumac Rltus trilobata ssp. trilobata Shadscale Atriplex conferti olia Utah Serviceberry Amelanchier utahensis \Vinterfat Krascheninnikovia lcanata Trees. Box Elder .ulcer negundu Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga tttenzesii Narrow lea f Cottonwood Populus ctngttstifolia NPR Reclamation Plan 15 May 2006 REFERENCES Alstatt, David K. 2003. Soil Survey or Douglas - Plateau Area, Colorado, Parts of Garfield and Mesa County, US Dept. Ag.. NRCS, 355 pp.. 46 Map sheets. Barrow, J.R., and Bobby D. McCaslin, 1995. Rol; of microbes in resource management in arid ecosystems. In: Barrow, J.R., E.D. McArthur, R.E. Sosebee, and Tausch, Robin J., comps. 1996. Proceedings: Shrubland ecosystem dynamics in a changing environment. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT- GTR -338. Ogden, UT: USDA, Forest Service.. Intermountain Res. Sta., 275 pp. Colorado Natural Areas Program. 1998. Native Plant Re- vegetation Guide for Colorado. Caring for the Land Series, Vol. III, State of Colo., Division of Parks and Outdoor Rec., Dept. Nat. Res., Denver, 258 pp. Ferchau, Hugo. 1973. Vegetative Inventory Analysis and Impact Study of the Parachute Creek Area, Garfield County. Colorado. Chap. VI In: The Colony Environmental Study, Parachute Creek. Garfield County, Colorado. Vol. III, Thorne Ecological Institute, Boulder. 77pp. Fox, Charles J., H.D. Burke, J.R, Meiman, and J.L. Retzer, 1973. Soils Inventory Analysis and Impact Study of the Colony Property — Garfield County, C.D. Chap. III. In: The Colony Environmental Study, Parachute Creek, Garfield County, CO., Vol. III. Thorne Eco. Inst., Boulder, 52 pp. Granite Seed Cotnpany, 2004. Granite Seed Catalog. Granite Seed Company. 1697 West 2100 North, Lehi, UT 84043, 89 pp. McNab, W.H. and P.E. Avers, 1996. Ecological Subregions of the United States. USDA Forest Service. http:i /www.fs.fed.us/Iand /pubs /ecoregions /. Washington. D.C. Sirota, Judith, 2003. Best management practices for the noxious weeds of Mesa County, Colorado. Tri River Area, CSU Coop.Ext., Grand Junction, CO. World wide web publication at: http://www.coloscate.edulDepts/CoopExt/TRA/index.html#main.html USDA, NRCS. 2006. The PLANTS Database, 6 March 2006 (ltttp: / /plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874 -4490 USA. NPR Reclamation Plan 16 May 2006 Appendix A Reclamation Seed Mix Preferred Species for North Parachute Ranch Plant Communities, EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. This table is provided for flexibility in the field to adjust seed mixes to site conditions, cost and availability,. To create a custom seed mix for NPR, first determine the zone which will establish the total number of species in the mix and total number of seeds/ft- targeted for the zone, Le., 25 seeds /ft- and 5 or 6 species for Lower Zone, 35 for Middle Zone, and 5(1 seeds /ft- and up to 9 species for Upper Zone (see recommended seed mix section of report). Next, determine the species and the desired number ol'seeds ol'that species in the mix. For example, in a ix lttr the Upper Zone, select 8 or y species and allocate the number of seeds of each species desired in the seed mix. (For example, in a 50 seed /ft- mix mix, each species could he allocated in the following manner: Grass A .Y: 8 seeds /ft-, Grass B — 8 seeds /ft', Grass C = 7 seeds/ft -, Grass D = 7 seeds/ft', Forb E = 5 Sleds /ft', Forb F = 5 seeds/112, Shrub G = 5 seeds /112, Shrub 11 = 5 seeds/ft- ). Then, use the following formula: Target no. seeds /ft2 (e.g_ 50) = No. seeds of each species X 43560 (& /ac) = total no. seeds of each species /ate Total no. seeds ofcach species/ac/no. seeds /lb. of that species — Total lbs. ofPLS of'the species in the mix /ac Continue for each species, Then, add lbs of PL.S of each species = Total Lbs. of Mix /ac For percent by species in mix, Total lbs. of each species/Total Ibs. of seed mix = Percent of each species in mix. common Name• Indian ric;egrass 13esert Needlegratss Mountain Brunie Tltickspike whealgrass inland lull 'rass Slreatmbank wheatgrass Slettclrr Wlleatgrass llalrc►rii of Name ,'h Ji Wtltertrur ltvrtreuui<lis Ac•ltuatherrun Apeciosunt f3JODnty margint rtL% lavtttus /elite eolutux l3i.richiie .v *WO / .Minot• lartc'eV/ahrs sunrnr) Agra Opines !. iruchrcuultrs Cultivarsn Nezar PitIoin Rinu•oek Bron)ar Garnet Soil Texture Adaptation( Cosnutcats d Solis, ()the in Ilabils, r factors 0 Grasses t- tl 2" )hauling depth in sandy soil 1 —lion lived Bannock Critanat Schwend i tna Strongly rhixunt., lung Iiv�Yl, +ud forming Solar Prilnar, Pryor 3 lkur s rungty saliur siu s 7 Strongly rhizome., drought tolerant Revenue San Luis Shun -1iv xl Seeds /Lb. 141,000 1511,000 90,000 134,IH1(1 520,0OU Tbd at time needed Seeds/ft.' Seeds? ti Seeds/ti.' 25/1:t2 'tt?35r1=1 4r• SUfi=t' rut: :l rota] rota] 1,bs. 131.s/ Acre *la in Mix 156,000 1 59.000 Note- bloating f, Common N anteA Arizona Fescue Botanical Name Fesltrru urizunica Idaho 1•'cstue Femur(' iarlrnerrsrs lc-+7ercrsril)u c'. Curnura Jtnnegrass Is:ueleria n ►ucraui /ru Basin wildrye Needle and thread Western wheatgrass Big bluegrass Canby bluegrass M uttungrass Sandberg bluegrass Levu►rrs cirtcreus Cultivarsr` PIrwo]1V17rti sin / rrr Ple uraphrs jumesii Prra mu pin Redondo Joseph Magnar Traj ]head Arriba Barton Rosana Viva florets Viva ea o sis Sherman 1 Sail 'Texture Adaptation( Comments on Habits, Suil�, Other factors 1 1 0 0 'bin soils, ?14" precip, Seeds/Lb. 550,000 Cost /Lb. NO. PLS " /i:t." 'Fbd at time needed eedsltt,` Seeds/ft.' Seeds/IV ,u' 251Fi' u 3.5/1 1' rir.! 50/Fr' road load final -151),{100 115,000 Sod tin - ming Warns Season, sod turning or bunch 315,400 130.t)UO Lbs. PLS/ Acre % 111 nit 1 10.000 1 59,000 470,000 ieardless bluebunch wheatgrass 13luebunch wheatgrass 13uttlebrush syuirrellail Alkalai sacaton Poo earthy' Pun lendleriana Pou secrrudc► Pseuduruegrreriu ,sl)icatunr inermes Pserrdoroegnerirr .spic'atnr .spicarrnn Canbar Wiinmar Anatone Goldar 1 0 P -7 Secar Siia ►rirur hvslrix Sand l lollow 3 3 0 X10" prcti7i1) 10" preeii 1t1" precip., sod !brining K -14" preei1)„ P-7 widely da pled Preferred cultivar 882,000 926,000 890, {)00 925,000 117,000 140,000 Sporobulrrs airuides Salado 2 3 Sand dropseed .Sjx►rubrrlrrs crvpiu+ulus 3 o'' preeip., Warm season 0 lo" preeip.Wann season 192,000 1.751,000 298,000 W. Yarrow ° Cicer tmmilkvetch Ariowleaf-bal ammmrout Sulphur ]lower Buckwheal Northern sweetvetch c /rillcu nti! /r /o/iunr rrrc'itie rrrulis .-isrragalu.v ricer Bu /.sutnvrhizu sug illutu Erirrgrrtrmatr unrbelluiuu► 1/edvsarrnn &r'rule Luiana. Monarch Ox ley Forbs 1 1) Not adapted to line soils 1 O Not adapted to line or coarse soils ? 1) aka Utah 2.770,000 145,00(1 55,000 209,000 33,600 ('orn.u011 NameA Name (tltivar5li Soil Texture Adaptation' Comments Soils, Other on Habits, Factors sNNd� %il� NO. PLS14 /11.' Its. PI'S/ % in Mix 11d at needed y]( Csift `SLLf}/t, (ca . 25 IFl" fatal fra ZSt l' rota) 4CLcsIfl, ria, iilFC' I'utal i MC M F F Blue flax Limon 'elvish Appar 1 3 3 I 0 293,000 Prairie Aster Macltcter antlrera tcrrruc'e ti /i,alirr 2 3 2 i 0 496,000 ASainloin i Oitubrvcltis vieiiJulia Eski 0 2 3 2 0 Nonbloating legume 30,000 Remont r Rocky Mm. Pe-nstrinun I'ens:count suit-!u' l3andera 1 3 3 1 0 592,000 "Small burned Sutrgtaisorba nanor Delar 1 2 3 2 0 Nonbloating legume 55,000 Scarlet globeenallow l laity vetch . haerak -etc c•occinea 2 3 3 2 1 500,000 Yic"ia Wilma 0 1 3 2 1 short-lived. good ueit s manure 20,000 American vetch Yic•ia ersnericuna _ I 2 3 3 2 Nun - bloating legume 33,001) Shrubs 2.500,000 2.5()() 000 r 2,500,000 Basin big sagebrush tl r7rrrtrsia t► itlertlarrcr tridetuatu A. t. enrsevurr(J U 0 0 , 3 3 3 3 2 1 0 0 0 kvlountain big sagebrush Hobble Creek Wyoming big sagebrush Cherry Creek Gordan Creek 4. t. 7vvarningensis Fourwing saltbush Atr•iplet c•unesrens _ 3 3 3 3 1 52,000 Shadscule A triplex c•cmJirt•ti /olio U 2 3 3 1 64,90t1 Gardner saltbush Carl -leaf ,nut mahogany A triplex gurdneri (1 0 1 2 2 3 3 2 2 0 _ 111,500 30,000 Co-cm-wpm lecli/olius Rubber ra.bbiibrush Ericamerict trutrseusus s/p. C'hr ysutluurJ►ru.s visc•idi /hrru.+• ltirascheni,Ltikrwja larrata 2 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 ' 2 2 1 _ I 400,001) 7W' 000 56,700 Low rabbitbrush Winterfat Hatch Skunkbush sumac Bitierbrush klnts trilobuta tr•ilobata Lassen 2 I 3 3 3 3_ I 2 0 _ 0 20,300 15,001) Purs/ria tricktuaicr aCu1 ivars area variety o1•a plant developed from a natural species and maintained under cultivation while retaining distinguishing characteristics. Cultivars may ur may not be in production and are therefore unavailabile, `Soil Texture adaptation. C = coarse, MC = moderately coarse, M = medium, MF = moderately fine, F = fine. 0 = not adapted, 1 — marginal, 2 = average, 3 = best (Granite Seed, 2004). "Pure Live Seed per square tbot desired in planting for the species selected. Target number of total seeds/ft" is 25/11' for Lower Zone and riparian zone, 35 /1t2 for Middy Zone. and 50/1l' total cur Upper Zone plantings. 1 tool season and bunch grass unless otherwise noted in comments (ix. sod limning or warm season).