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The ultimate revegetation land uses associated with the NI -IN Mine all involve some type of <br />pasture, either via irrigation or dryland pasture. The landowners within the NHN Mine area have <br />expressed a desire to reclaim their existing lands, even those dominated by native undisturbed <br />species, such as Sagebrush, to Dryland Pasture, since this is a more productive plant community <br />and is more conducive to livestock management. Therefore, WFC requests that the revegetation <br />success standards associated with species diversity be changed to a forage quality diversity <br />standard and that shrub density be waived in lieu of the requested change in land use. The <br />present land use and vegetation types are not critical or unique as wildlife habitat, nor do they <br />possess any significant value as wildlife habitat when one considers the extensive expanse of <br />native vegetation in the immediate New Horizon Mine area and the fact that much of the existing <br />landscape has been converted to agricultural uses. Seed Mix # 8, the proposed Dryland Seed <br />Mixture, contains species that will supply forage earlier in the spring and later in the fall and thus <br />provide higher nutritional value than do nearly all of the native species. Due to the extended <br />growing season of these species and their higher nutritional value, wildlife species, especially <br />Elk and Deer will naturally concentrate in these areas, thus reducing the pressure on undisturbed <br />areas. <br />Dryland Pasture - Liability Period Management <br />Dryland Pasture is managed to a lower management level than reclaimed Irrigated Pasture or <br />Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture areas. Initial fertilizer will be placed on all topsoiled areas <br />prior to initial seeding, as described in Section 2.05.4(2)(d). No supplemental irrigation water <br />will be applied to the areas after seeding. <br />Management Items <br />Management and maintenance activities will include any necessary repair of rills or gullies, <br />reseeding, or grazing management. Grazing management will be centered on the proper use by <br />livestock of the Dryland Pasture areas in relation to the associated Reclaimed Irrigated Pasture <br />and Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture reclaimed areas. As documented in Attachment <br />2.05.4(2)(e)-2 interseeding of Dryland Pasture is a normal husbandry practice, therefore, it is <br />requested that it be allowed on these lands within the permit reclaimed area. <br />Fertilization Plan <br />Fertility testing and fertilization of the soil will occur immediately after the respread topsoil is <br />initially placed, which is discussed as a soil preparation practice in Section 2.05.4(2)(d). To <br />achieve goals of normal management for the irrigated Pasture areas, the following fertilization <br />plan is proposed after the 1 sc year: <br />1) Sampling of the respread topsoil on lands with Dryland Pasture (DP) postmine land use will <br />take place in years 3, 7 and 9 after seeding. <br />Section 2.05.4(2)(e) Page 25 May 2015 <br />