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D. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to demonstrate that <br />success criteria of 4.15.8 and 4.15. 10 have been met, will be based on the following: <br />Areas with pre -mining communities of Juniper Woodland and Mixed Shrubs will be <br />seeded with an upland seed mixture. The success of this revegetation effort willbe <br />determined by comparing vegetative cover and herbaceous productivity to reference areas <br />in those two communities. Species diversity willbe considered adequate if at least four <br />perennial species are present and each accounts for at least 3% relative cover. At least <br />one of those species will be a forb or shrub. There is no success standard for woody stem <br />density. <br />Areas where a pre -mining disturbed meadow existed will be seeded with a meadow seed <br />mix. Revegetation of these areas will be considered successful if vegetative cover <br />exceeds 35.3% and herbaceous productivity exceeds 1602 pounds per acre. These reflect <br />the cover and productivity of the disturbed meadows prior to mining disturbance. <br />Species diversity will be adequate if at least two perennial species are present, each <br />accounting for at least 3% relative cover. <br />E. The Division approved the reference areas and a technical standard which the applicant <br />has selected based on the requirements of Rule 4.15.7(3). <br />F. The reference areas and technical standard will be utilized to determine revegetation <br />success in a manner which the Division fords acceptable (4.15.7(4)). <br />XII. Post -mining Land Use <br />A. The Division is not proposing to approve an alternative post -mining land use. <br />XIII. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />A discussion of measures to be taken by the BRL to mitigate impacts to wildlife, and in response <br />to comments and suggestions from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, may be found in Section <br />2.05.6(2) of the permit. <br />A. In the future, the applicant may propose the use of persistent pesticides on the site during <br />mining and/or reclamation operations. The Division must review and approve any such <br />use prior to implementation (4.18(5)(g)). <br />B. Fish and wildlife habitat is a planned post -mining land use. The applicant has selected <br />appropriate plant species and distributions to benefit fish and wildlife (4.18(5)(i)). <br />XIV. Protection of Underground Mining <br />A. The Division does not propose to approve surface coal mining activities being conducted <br />within 500 feet of an active or abandoned underground mine (4.19(1) and 4.22.4(1)). <br />XV. Subsidence Control <br />Section 2.05.6(6) of the permit contains an inventory of structures and renewable resource lands <br />within the permit area, and a discussion of the possible consequences of subsidence on those <br />structures and lands. A subsidence monitoring plan is also included in this section. Areport <br />32 <br />