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The reclaimed area cover will be compared with the extended reference area cover <br />in accordance with Rule 4.15.8(3). Similar sampling methodologies will be <br />employed at both reclaimed and reference area locations. <br /> <br />3. Productivity: <br /> <br />Herbaceous production on the reclaimed area will be compared to that of the <br />extended reference area. Similar sampling methods will be employed on the <br />reclaimed and reference areas. Requirements of Rule 4.15.8(4) will be complied with. <br /> <br />4. Woody Plant Density: <br /> <br />The woody plant density standard has been waived at the request of the landowner, <br />with concurrence by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />VI. Post-mining Land Use <br /> <br /> <br />A.The Division approved an alternative post-mining land use for the Developed Water <br />Resource area, a 4.1 acre portion of the mine site, comprised of the mine portal <br />discharge collection and water treatment system facilities. <br /> <br /> <br />B.The approved post-mining land use for the mine site is rangeland, which is <br />consistent with the pre-mining and surrounding area land uses. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />VII. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br /> <br /> A. The applicant proposed the use of persistent pesticides on the site during mining <br />and/or reclamation operations. Herbicides are used to control noxious weeds on <br />the Developed Water Resource Area. The Division approved this usage <br />(4.18(5)(g)). <br /> <br /> B. In areas designated as fish and wildlife habitat as a post-mining land use, the <br />applicant has used appropriate plant species and distributions to benefit fish and <br />wildlife (4.18(5)(i)). <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />VIII. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors <br /> <br />Rules 2.06.8 and 4.24 provide for the identification of alluvial valley floors that are or <br />could be suitable for agricultural use. These rules, in part, are designed to preserve <br />and protect these areas. An important point to be considered with regard to this <br />operation is the fact that the operation (mine and loadout) was constructed prior to the <br />enactment of the alluvial valley floor regulations for underground coal mines. Prior <br /> <br /> <br />22 <br /> <br />