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REVEGETATION <br />The cover success standard is discussed in the Phase II section above. <br />Vegetative productivity is considered successful when vegetative biomass on the reclaimed area is <br />greater than or equal to 90 percent of the vegetative biomass from the reference areas. (As noted with <br />cover, multiple reference areas are used and the reference area value comes from a weighted average <br />based on acreage.) <br />Successful species diversity is determined using the vegetative cover data. Species diversity is <br />considered adequate when the four dominant species, based on plant cover, comprise no more than 80 <br />percent of the total species composition (Rule 4.15.8(5)). <br />Woody plant density success values are specific to the parcel. <br />• There is no requirement for woody stem establishment on the Corley property reclamation <br />(per the request of The Corley Company). <br />• On the Vento portion of the reclaimed portal area, woody stem density is considered <br />successful when a minimum of 800 woody stems per acre have been established. <br />• RDA reclamation (Vento property) is considered successful for woody stem establishment <br />when the woody stem count equals or exceeds 250 woody stems per acre. <br />• Woody plant establishment at the loadout will be considered successful if the reclaimed area <br />exhibits equal to or greater than 6.3 woody stems per acre. <br />PROTECTION OF THE HYDROLOGIC BALANCE <br />In order to minimize any potential mining related impacts on existing hydrologic systems in permit <br />and adjacent areas, EFCI has incorporated specific control and mitigation measures in mining and <br />reclamation plans for the Southfield Mine. These measures are based upon available baseline <br />information on the existing hydrologic environment, previous modeling of hydrologic systems, the <br />experience of similar mining operations in controlling hydrologic impacts, applicable regulatory <br />requirements, and the results of ongoing monitoring programs. Hydrologic control and mitigation <br />measures developed for the Southfield operations have been designed to prevent significant changes <br />in the quantity and quality of surface and groundwater resources, preserve existing hydrologic <br />functions, and limit any adverse impacts on surface or groundwater users. For the entire time that the <br />Southfield Mine permit has been in existence, EFCI has monitored impacts on the hydrologic balance <br />to determine if the control and mitigation measures are effective. <br />The groundwater monitoring program described in Section 2.05.6, Mitigation of Surface Coal Mining <br />Operation Impacts, provides relevant information on groundwater levels, recharge and discharge <br />rates, and water quality. The Hydrologic Monitoring Plan (Exhibit 25) was designed to insure a <br />frequency and distribution of groundwater data collection adequate to identify and document trends <br />and fluctuations in the quantity and quality of groundwater and the overall effects of mining on the <br />hydrologic balance. The groundwater monitoring data and resulting evaluations have been used to <br />identify any potential problems on a timely basis and develop any necessary mitigation measures. <br />Southfield Mine SL -03 Page 12 of 21 February 23, 2016 <br />