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<br /> <br /> <br /> 53 C1981-041 RN7 findings <br />to determine revegetation success in a manner which the Division finds acceptable <br />(4.15.7(4)). <br /> <br />Technical standards are proposed for woody plant density and species diversity <br />success determination, pursuant to Rule 4.15.7(2)(d)(iii). The standard for woody <br />plant density is 800 woody plant stems per acre. The Division has approved the <br />standard after consultation with the Division of Wildlife, pursuant to Rule <br />4.15.8(7). <br /> <br />The species diversity standard is specified on page 14-24. The standard is as <br />follows: <br /> <br />- Total perennial cool season grass species > 0.5% relative cover; <br />- Total perennial warm season grass species > 2% relative cover; <br />- Total perennial forbs and suffrutescent species > 0.5% relative cover, <br />- No reclaimed area shall have a single species that represents greater than 70% <br />relative cover, with the exception of annual grasses. The annual grass <br />component shall not exceed 70% relative cover unless the annual grass <br />component in the corresponding reference area also exceeds 70%. In such <br />cases, the relative cover of the annual grass component of the reclaimed area <br />shall not exceed the relative cover of the annual grass component in the <br />reference area by more than 5%. <br /> <br /> The Division finds that the proposed standard will satisfy the species diversity and <br />seasonal variety requirements of Rules 4.15.8(5) and 4.15.8(6). <br /> <br /> XII. Post-mining Land Use <br /> <br /> Premining land use in the permit area was a combination of “Fish and Wildlife <br />Habitat” and “Industrial or Commercial”. Much of the land in the Cameo area of <br />Debeque Canyon, including the South Portals area on the east side of the Colorado <br />River, and along the conveyor route to and including the Unit Train Loadout on the <br />west side of the River, was originally identified as “Industrial or Commercial”. This <br />classification was based on the long history of mining activity in the area, and the <br />close proximity of the mine disturbed areas to developed commercial/industrial <br />features including the Cameo Power Plant facilities, Interstate 70, and the Union <br />Pacific Railroad. Lands that were undeveloped at the time of initial mine permitting, <br />including portions of the South Portal area and all the disturbed areas in Coal Canyon, <br />were classified as “Fish and Wildlife Habitat” Premining land use. See Exhibit 62 <br />(Premining Land Use). <br /> <br /> Prior to PR-3, the approved postmining land use for all disturbed lands in the permit <br />area was “Fish and Wildlife Habitat”. In PR-3, the Division approved a proposal to <br />change the postmining land use for a portion of the South Portals disturbed area from <br />“Fish and Wildlife Habitat” to “Industrial or Commercial”, therefore the requirements <br />of Rule 4.16,3, for Alternative Land Uses, are applicable. Postmining land use areas