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

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The approach to re- establishment of the functional potential of woody plants in the vegetation of the • reclaimed site is as follows: 1) Shrubs are planted as part of the general mix across the entire reclaimed surface. The presence of shrubs at a basic, background level (200 stems per acre) will maintain the opportunity for further shrub proliferation when conditions allow; 2) Development of shrubs on the reclaimed surface can be expected to be heterogeneous with planted seed and naturally dispersed seed developing in patch -like fashion. Experience on older sites such as the Seneca H Mine has shown that this cannot be predicted. Naturally developed (unfenced) shrub concentration areas can be expected to be largely sagebrush and snowberry along with varying amounts of competition and browsing - dwarfed tall shrubs; 3) Within fenced planting areas, tall shrubs as well as trees will have the chance to achieve full stature, providing values of cover and more importantly seed production and dispersal. These islands of tall shrub presence provide on -going potential for proliferation of tall shrubs across the reclamation surface as future conditions allow. The heterogeneous patterns of life form will benefit wildlife habitat needs by providing cover in a mosaic fashion that offers frequent transition from tall to short and woody to herbaceous enhancing the so- called "edge effect." As • this heterogeneity develops, the current dominance of herbaceous cover will continue to provide substantial foraging resources that are relatively scarce in the general area so heavily occupied by thick woody cover. SCC proposes five woody plant density standards, two mandatory standards for the overall reclaimed land and three other (secondary) standards for the concentrated shrub /tree establishment sites of which two must be satisfied: • Mandatory Shrub Standard - -- Overall, non - fenced, reclaimed land - - -- 200 stems per acre • Mandatory Shrub Standard -- Volunteer (plus remnants of planting) shrub concentrations (outside fences) - - --- 1000 stems per acre on at least 10% of the unfenced acreage. • Secondary Standard No.1 - -- Woody plant establishment areas, upland, fenced - - -- 945 woody stems /acre average. • Secondary Standard No.2 -- -Woody plant establishment areas, riparian, fenced, non- fenced - - -- 945 woody stems /acre average, riparian areas will contain at least 150 stems/acre of tree or tall shrub species. • • Secondary Standard No. 3 - -- Woody plant establishment area, with aspen, fenced - - -- 945 woody stems /acre (of which 150 stems /acre will be aspen). TR -70 57 Retired 08111