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tests are: Total Species Density Test, Species Density Distribution Assessment Among Lifeforms and <br />Native Species Presence Assessment. The alternative tests are described in the pemit, Section 2.05.4 <br />starting on page 51. <br />In 2012, the mandatory test was passed with the most abundant species of alfalfa having 18.11% <br />relative cover. The three alternate tests were also passed in 2012. In 2014, the mandatory test was <br />passed with the most abundant species of intermediate wheatgrass having 52.0% relative cover. Two <br />of the three alternate standards were met in 2014. The diversity standard was demonstrated to be <br />successful for both 2012 and 2014. <br />Post Mining Land Use <br />The post -mining land use for the PSCM is rangeland for livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. The <br />reclaimed lands have vegetative cover composed of a variety of grasses, forbs, and woody shrubs. <br />The seasonality and forage characteristics of the vegetative species are suitable for the approved post - <br />mining land use. Cattle were grazing during the inspection and no evidence of overgrazing was <br />observed. No signigicant problems or bare areas were identified. The revegetation standards were <br />based on what would be necessary for the land to properly function as grazing and wildlife habitat. <br />Based on the achievement of the requirements, the Division finds the revegetation on the PSCM <br />reclaimed areas is capable of supporting the approved post -mining land use. <br />Evaluation of Hydrologic Impacts <br />In accordance with Section 3.03.2(2), the Division has evaluated whether pollution of surface or <br />subsurface water is occurring and the probability of future occurrence of such pollution. The evaluation <br />considered information in the following documents: the Probable Hydrologic Consequences section of the <br />permit application, Annual Hydrology Reports submitted by the operator, and documents in the SL -4 bond <br />release application and file. The results of the evaluation are summarized below. <br />Basic Standards Interim Narrative Standard for Ground Water (CWQCC Regulation <br />41.5(c)( 6)) <br />The Peabody Sage Creek Mine alluvial ground water point of compliance (GWPOC) in the Fish <br />Creek alluvium is well SFAL72, located less than one mile downstream from the Bond Creek <br />confluence with Fish Creek. A review of the statistical summary of the water quality of SFAL72 was <br />completed based on water quality data presented in the Annual Hydrology Reports for the Peabody <br />Sage Creek Mine. Well SFAL72 was permitted as the GWPOC in Technical Revision No.47 (TR - <br />47) associated with the Seneca II Mine (C-1980-005) approved in 2009 and included in the transfer <br />of permitted lands to the Peabody Sage Creek Mine. Based on the data collected, ambient values for <br />SFAL72 were found to be higher than the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission Regulation <br />41 standards for iron, manganese, nitrate, and sulfates. The only standard that was exceeded between <br />2011 and 2015 was iron (0. 35 mg /1, dissolved), with values ranging between 2.16 and 5.16 mg /1. <br />However, total recoverable iron values, which should be greater than or equal to total dissolved <br />values, were less than 0.71 mg /1 for that time period upstream at all spoil springs <br />(SSSPGI, SSSPG2, and SSSPG9), was measured at 1.55mg/l in the NPDES discharge (NPDES4). <br />The high iron values observed at Well SFAL72 are not likely to be the result of discharges from the <br />Peabody Sage Creek Mine. <br />C-2009-087 Page 9 of 14 <br />