2013-10-07_REVISION - C1981025 (8)

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adapted for more mesic, cooler, and flatter sites. Seed Mix No.3 contained species for use on the reclaimed refuse disposal area, mine area, and less harsh road cuts. The fourth seed mix provided a quick effective cover for topsoil stockpiles. The mine was reclaimed between 1986 and 1987 with final grading, seed preparation, and seeding practices performed in the fall of 1987. Seed was planted using a drill seeder in accessible areas with straw mulch crimped for stability. In locations where steep slopes prohibited drill seeding, the appropriate seed mix was broadcast and straw mulch applied and netted for stability. Woods rose (Rosa woodsii), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpos montanus), and serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) were added to the seed mixes prior to planting. The operator committed to live transplant additional shrubs if necessary, to achieve the required woody plant densities. In 1992, Technical Revision No. 12 was submitted to modify the reclamation success standards for the majority of the loadout area due to an approved post-mining land use change to residential/recreational. Reclamation success for the small remaining area at the loadout was measured by comparing it to an extended reference area. The revegetation success criteria for the reclaimed lands are: species diversity, vegetative cover, herbaceous production, and woody plant density. Success was determined by comparison with an undisturbed extended reference area. Baseline data was not collected on the mine area prior to disturbance. The mine area was disturbed prior to the enactment of the current law. In the original permit application, a reference area was delineated in an undisturbed area which the operator felt most closely approximated pre-mining conditions. Upon further analysis, the operator felt the use of an extended reference area would be a more accurate representation of pre-disturbance conditions. This revision was approved by the Division in 1992 as Technical Revision No. 14. The sampling methodology for determining revegetation success was clarified in Technical Revision No. 20. In the same technical revision, the species diversity standard was modified and the woody plant density standard was waived. The following standards were set as the reclamation success criteria for the North Thompson Creek Mines. The Division found the operator in compliance with these standards for all applicable disturbed acres of the mine site. 1. Species diversity: i)Four perennial non-noxious plant species ii)At least two species will be grasses iii)At least one species will be a perennial forb or shrub iv)No one species shall comprise less than three percent relative cover or greater than 60 percent relative cover. 2. Cover: 21