2013-10-15_PERMIT FILE - C1982057A (2)

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Food and nesting cover will be increased for small mammals and birds. Raptors and other predators will have increased potential for hunting success because of the more open areas and increase in the population of small mammals. The replacement of woody vegetation types with reclaimed areas dominated by herbaceous species will enhance habitat diversity in the region surrounding the Seneca II -W Mine. Premining vegetation of the II -W South area includes more open areas of the western wheat grass /alkali sagebrush vegetation type than other portions of the II -W permit area. The potential benefits of the reclaimed area forage resources to big game have been described above. Big game use in the area may actually increase during various times of the year. Hungerford (1979) reported that deer appear to establish new home ranges in newly opened areas because of increases in herbaceous forages. Observations at Peabody's Seneca II Mine indicate that significant numbers of deer and elk are present on the mine area year - round. It also appears that a small resident elk herd may have established itself in the vicinity of the Seneca II Mine. Similar year round elk use is reported at the Colorado Yampa Coal Company Qohnson 1990). Reclaimed areas will be irregularly shaped and relatively small in relation to regional vegetation and habitat surrounding the mine area. Shrub islands will be established within reclaimed areas. These areas, combined with large adjoining areas of undisturbed woody vegetation in and around the permit area, will increase edge and improve overall habitat diversity. The loss of cover formerly provided by the woody component will be offset by grading that creates topographic diversity within the general postmine landscape. This method is currently being used with success at the Seneca II Mine five miles to the east. The shrub planting program will be oriented towards enhancement of islands where shrub cover will develop in the larger open blocks. These plantings will encourage localized areas of regeneration versus a stem for stem restoration of the woody plants on every acre. The combination of grading to create topographic diversity and concentrated shrub plantings will mitigate the loss of shrub cover in the affected areas of the mine. Sediment Ponds 005 and 006 are to be retained as permanent impoundments and will be left intact at the end of operations at Seneca II -W to provide livestock and wildlife watering sources. Sediment Pond 009 will also be considered for permanent retention according to appropriate regulatory criteria. These ponds will significantly enhance the water resources available to livestock and wildlife on the permit area. 0 rJ -4 --, A iR,.