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for woody plant density. Revised woody plant counts for the refuse pile and loadout areas are <br />7.6 and 6.3 stems per acre, respectively. Conventional methods using the t -test method will <br />be used in the combined ponderosa p ine /pinyon/juniper (Plot B) and pinyon - juniper (new <br />woodland) areas. The 90% equal or greater than confidence level will be employed in these <br />areas. <br />The Division has reviewed these techniques and approved the use of these methods as a <br />basis of comparison with the approval of Technical Revision No. 15, approved December <br />1993, and TR39, approved May 2013 (4.15.7(1)). <br />E. The Division proposes to approve of the reference areas which the applicant has selected <br />based on the requirements of Rule 4.15.7(3). <br />F. The reference areas will be utilized to determine revegetation success in a manner which the <br />Division finds acceptable 4.15.7(4)). TR -45 proposes to modify vegetation standards. This TR <br />is pending approval by the Division (as of March 9, 2015). <br />G. The Division proposes to waive the requirement to establish vegetative cover on a small area <br />at the reclaimed portal area containing a graveled parking area. The waiver was requested by the <br />landowner and the Division has determined that revegetation is not necessary to control erosion <br />(4.15.10(3)). <br />XII. Post - mining Land Use <br />A post- mining land use of rangeland and wildlife habitat at the mine site has been <br />approved by the Division. The postmining land use is identical to the pre- mining land <br />use and is consistent with the Fremont County Zoning Regulations for agricultural use. <br />No changes in the land use or zoning are anticipated at this time. <br />The loadout area had been previously disturbed by railroad construction activities and previous <br />commercial land uses. There is no history of this land being used for pastureland or cropland. <br />However in keeping with the prevailing land use in the area, EFCI proposes to restore the <br />loadout area to a postmining land use of rangeland. The area is presently zoned for agricultural <br />use by the Fremont County Planning Board. <br />XIII. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />Wildlife habitat is part of the planned post- mining land use. EFCI has selected appropriate plant <br />species and distributions to benefit wildlife (4.18.(4)(1)). Wildlife resources were inventoried by <br />the Colorado Department of Wildlife for the Southfield Mine and can be found in Exhibit 12 of <br />the PAP. Letters included in Exhibit 12 indicate no significant impact will occur to the wildlife <br />due to mining activities. None of the wildlife in the area has been identified as a threatened, <br />endangered, or protected species. No additional power lines or electrical transmission lines are <br />proposed or planned for the Southfield Mine. Raptor proof poles are utilized at the mine site. <br />EFCI continues to minimize impacts to wildlife by taking the following steps: <br />27 <br />