2020-06-08_REVISION - C1982057 (31)

Home Browse Search

Additionally, proper grazing has been used to encourage re-establishment and enhancement of native plant diversity and woody plant density. The grazing season at Seneca II-W has historically been from mid-July to mid-September. The 2011 estimated stocking rate based on herbaceous production data, forage palatability and a fifty percent(50%)proper use factor is 1.2 acres per animal unit month (AUM). The estimated stocking rate for 2012 based on herbaceous production, forage palatability and the above proper use factor is 1.9 acres per AUM. These values reflect a range of historic stocking rate levels at the Seneca 11-W Mine. The higher stocking rates in 2011 represent above normal winter through early summer precipitation while the lower 2012 stocking rates represent exactly the opposite condition. The ability of the reclaimed lands to provide good stocking rate values for 2011 and 2012 represent the results of implemented best practices for reclamation, management of the reclaimed areas and the restoration of ecosystem function and continuing successional development of the reclaimed lands. Seneca 11-W reclaimed area livestock grazing was initiated in 2007 using the Salt River and Top reclaimed pastures located in the area of the BRB-1. The grazing was approximately 15 days in each pasture and averaged 16 percent use of all forage and 33% of the PUF forage (PUF = 50% of available forage as a proper use factor). Grazing has continued annually through 2019and has gradually spread to majority of the mine reclaimed lands as granted by the land owners. Livestock have been cow-calf pairs and grazing numbers have ranged from 104 pair to 230 pair. Days of grazing have ranged from 29 days to 51 days. Utilization has ranged from light to moderate with rates from 11% of total forage (23% of PUF forage)to 32% of total forage (65% of PUF forage). Anecdotal comments by the livestock operators to reclamation management personnel indicate satisfaction with the reclaimed grazing resource and animal performance. Wildlife monitoring has been conducted annually at the Seneca II-W Mine from 1994 through 2010. Comprehensive monitoring including big game, upland game birds, raptors and predators continued through 2007. From 2008 through 2010 monitoring centered on upland game birds, golden eagles and Sandhill cranes. From 2011 the general mine area has been included in annual raptor nest monitoring and Columbian Sharp-tailed grouse counts. The results of monitoring are presented in the annual reports submitted to CDRMS. Additionally, CDRMS inspection personnel note wildlife observations in their ongoing inspection activities at the mine. Seneca 11-W reclaimed lands provide excellent habitat for a number of wildlife species. Elk and mule deer make common use of the reclaimed areas where significant numbers of deer and elk can be observed in the reclaimed areas throughout the year. The reclaimed areas provide beneficial and nutritional forage resources throughout the year but especially in the spring and early summer as the elk and mule deer complete gestation and move to lactation cycles. Elk and mule deer numbers on the mine site during the period of monitoring for these species showed year to year fluctuations as a result of mining activities and climatic conditions. As mining activity moved to new areas and reclamation became established,big game moved back into reclaimed areas and adjacent native habitats. This has been especially true for elk as the herbaceous forage quality is compatible with their foraging preferences. Review of annual monitoring reports shows that mule deer and elk numbers have had a steady increase over the 1994 through 2007 period. This has been in part due to improved survey methods later in the period. In the latter part of the monitoring years elk and mule deer were found increasingly in the 24