2015-03-12_PERMIT FILE - C1981014 (7)

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• vegetative community is established, controlled grazing can be beneficially utilized to enhance vegetative diversity and increase production. The ultimate goal of reclamation is to restore a native plant community similar to that which existed prior to disturbance. Extensive research in the field of range management has focused on methods of eradicating woody plants and establishing grasses. One of the major concerns in dealing with mined land reclamation centers on the dominance of grasses and the difficulty of re- establishing fortis and woody plants. Controlled grazing in the mid to later stages of development of the vegetative community can limit dominance of grassy species and promote woody plant establishment. EFCI anticipates that three (3) to four (4) years after permanent seeding, controlled grazing may be utilized on reclaimed lands to increase diversity and production and alter any negative trends. When it becomes desirable to implement such a program, EFCI will submit specific plan details to the Division for review and approval. 4.15.6 FIELD TRIALS • EFCI does not plan to conduct any field trials in conjunction with planned reclamation operations. 4.15.7 DETERMINING REVEGETATION SUCCESS: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS The ultimate success of revegetation for both the mine and loadout areas will be evaluated utilizing comparative data collected from reclaimed and reference areas. EFCI will monitor revegetated areas three (3) years after initial vegetative establishment, and during the last two (2) years prior to the request for final bond release, and will compare the resulting data with similar data collected from corresponding reference areas. The comparative evaluation will be used to identify any potential areas of concern allowing adjustments in post- reclamation management plans to achieve desired revegetation objectives. 4.15 - 4 Revised 02/16/01 Technical Revision No. 29