2018-08-30_PERMIT FILE - C1982057 (2)

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Section 10.2 Veoetation Baseline Studv - 1997 • Introduction This section summarizes vegetation data collected on Seneca Coal Company's (SCC) proposed south extension of the Seneca II-W Permit Area, identified as Seneca II-W South Extension. The proposed II-W South area which is adjacent to the current II-W Permit Area is located south of the Town of Hayden in Routt County on moderately to steeply sloping topography in the Williams Fork Mountains with elevations ranging from 7150 feet (2180 m) to 8300 feet (2375 m). Vegetation mapping depicting baseline vegetation studies for Seneca II-W South Extension is included as Exhibit 10-3. Vegetation on the Seneca II-W South Extension consists primarily of communities dominated by woody plants. Shrub communities are dominated by mountain big sagebrush (Seraphidium vaseyanum), basin big sagebrush (Seraohidium tridentata), snowberry (Svmohoricaroos oreoohilus), Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia ,and Gambel oak ( uercus ambelii . Aspen stands (Pooulus tremuloides) are extensive in the study area, especially on east and north aspects and in some drainages. The occurrence of aspen in these areas becomes more common as elevation increases. Background. In the spring of 1997, ESCO Associates, Inc. (ESCO) was contracted to conduct baseline vegetation • studies in proposed II-W South Extension area located south of the current Seneca II-W Mine Permit Area. These studies were conducted in July and August of 1997. The data from these studies are presented in Appendix 10-10. The areas to be affected by mine development and operation in each of the five vegetation types present were sampled for cover by species, total herbaceous biomass production, and woody plant density. Specific reference areas were not sampled since the extended reference area concept will be used for revegetation success evaluations. In the extended reference area approach, all undisturbed native vegetation within the proposed Seneca II-W South Extension area will be used to develop a vegetation data set to be used for comparison to the reclaimed area vegetation data set. A discussion of the extended reference area approach is presented in Tab 22 under Testing for Successful Reclamation. Veoetation Maooino and Tvpe Acreaoes Veoetation Maos. A vegetation map was prepared in July 1997 on a base map at a scale of 1:4,800 (1 inch = 400 feet) using natural color aerial photography at a scale of 1:12,000 acquired by Intrasearch of Denver on June 30, 1990. After field checking, sample points were selected (see below). • 43 Revised 9/98