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of the permit application package. <br />Five major vegetation community types occur within the Yoast permit area. These <br />major vegetation community types are: Mountain Brush, Sagebrush, Aspen, Steep <br />Mountain Brush, and Western Wheatgrass/Alkali Sagebrush. Additional community <br />types occur within the permit area but at considerably smaller acreages. These <br />additional vegetation types include: Upland and improved sub -irrigated pasture, Mesic <br />drainage, lands in the Conservation Reserve Program, Cropland, Alkali <br />Sagebrush/Greasewood, and Alkali Meadow. Approximately 51.8% (1,166 acres) of <br />the permit area is comprised of Mountain Brush community. Sagebrush is the next most <br />dominant community representing 422.4 acres, or 18.7% of the permit area. The Aspen <br />community ranks third in area with 333.5 acres or 14.8% of the permit area. All other <br />community types are considerably less extensive with no one type exceeding 6% of the <br />permit area. <br />Baseline vegetation data was collected during June 1990 and July 1992. Sampling was <br />performed in accordance with the Regulations and was discussed with the Division prior <br />to data collection. <br />Seneca Property, LLC is approved to use five permanent reclamation seed mixes and <br />one temporary seed mix. Seed mix I was used throughout the majority of the <br />reclaimed area and has been formulated to re-establish an Upland Shrub Grassland. <br />This seed mix is weighted towards perennial cool season grass species, with perennial <br />forbs and shrub seed included as well. All of the species included in the seed mix are <br />native, with the exception of Orchardgrass and Alfalfa. These two species have been <br />included to enhance forage utility, improve legume presence in the stand, and help <br />establish cover. Neither species is considered poisonous or noxious. Both are desirable <br />to achieve the post -mining land -use. (Rule 4.15.2) The variety of alfalfa, Travois, used <br />by Seneca Property has demonstrated compatibility in a grassland mix at adjacent <br />mines, and has not exhibited excessive aggressiveness. A variation of Seed mix I was <br />used along the haul road corridor and has been modified as Seed Mix 1B to correlate <br />with the Sagebrush Grassland vegetation type found within the haul road vicinity. <br />Concentrated narrow areas with higher moisture regimes were seeded with Seed Mix <br />No. 2 developed for Mesic Drainage and Subirrigated Sites. This seed mix was used to <br />re-establish riparian areas and mesic sites, and may be utilized around permanent ponds. <br />This seed mix is comprised entirely of native species. <br />Seed Mix No. 3 has been developed for utilization in localized alkaline conditions. <br />These conditions may be encountered along the haul road corridor. Alkalaigrass and <br />Alfalfa are the only introduced species included in this seed mix. <br />Seed Mix No. 4 has been formulated to establish quick soil -stabilizing cover on <br />locations that are temporary in nature. Temporary locations would include topsoil <br />stockpiles and roadside disturbances. <br />29 <br />