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Grazing - Livestock grazing has been conducted on II-W reclaimed lands since 2007. The grazing <br /> season has historically been from mid-July to mid-September. Livestock grazing has been conducted <br /> annually and livestock numbers have increased as more reclaimed acres have become available and <br /> the vegetation communities have continued to mature. Stocking rates have been developed from <br /> ongoing vegetation monitoring data, and a goal of proper use at 50 percent forage utilization has been <br /> a basis of management, as has pasture development to facilitate management and grazing systems. <br /> Annual precipitation and the effects on current year's production are factored into annual <br /> management. Results of annual grazing are presented in the Seneca II-W Annual Reclamation <br /> Reports submitted to CDRMS and have demonstrated the utility for the postmine land use. <br /> REVEGETATION SUCCESS <br /> The SL-7 Phase III bond release includes lands within the BRB-5 block totaling approximately 444-358.0 <br /> acres, plus 9.0 acres of road ways that are permitted as permanent features which do not require <br /> demonstration of vegetation_ and within the BRB ' ' E)& tatalifig 360 ac�t�The parcels within the <br /> BRB-5 block were revegetated between 2003 and 2007. and the BBB 1 areas were e eget to be:* ee <br /> 990 and 204 Phase I bond release for the BRB-5 area was approved under the previous SL-3 submittal, <br /> and Phase II bond release encompassing the BR43 ' area and the the BRB-5 area has been approved based <br /> on the previous SL-5 submittal. These lands have established vegetation that meets the minimum ten-year <br /> liability period and are able to support the approved post-mining land uses. Phase III revegetation success <br /> evaluations have been based on the applicable regulatory success standard requirements and procedures <br /> spelled out in Tab 22 "Revegetation Plan" of the approved Seneca II-W permit, Rules 3.03.1(2)(c), <br /> 3.03.1(4) and 4.15.8, and the CDRMS Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mine Bond Release Issues <br /> (April 1995). Revegetation success is demonstrated by meeting the appropriate cover,production,woody <br /> density, and species diversity success standards based on statistically valid sampling and analysis. <br /> Species composition and diversity requirements are assessed through the vegetation cover data and <br /> evaluations using a species diversity assessment specifically developed for SPL reclaimed lands as <br /> detailed in Tab 22 of the approved mining permit. <br /> Vegetation sampling in the BRB-5 Phase III and the II-W reference areas were conducted in August and <br /> September of 2018 and 2019 by Cedar Creek Associates. The 2018 and 2019 report of the findings of <br /> testing for revegetation success for the II-W BRB-5 Phase III bond release evaluation is included in <br /> Attachment D —Revegetation Success Supporting Documentation. The Phase III bond release block, <br /> reference areas and random sample point locations are shown on Maps 1 - 6 contained in the 2018 and <br /> 2019 revegetation success evaluation report in Attachment D. <br /> H! bond release Week and the 11 W r-efer-enee areas was eandueted in july of 2011 and 2012 by ESGO <br /> Asseeiates. The 2011/2012 r-epai4 of the findings of testing for-r-evegetation sueeess for-the 11 W BRB 1 <br /> Phase M bond release evaltiation is ineluded as Attaeknient D Re-vegetation Sueeess Smfforti <br /> DoeHmentation. The Phase!!!bend release Week, --d -a-dem sample peint leeafiens are <br /> As a result of sampling and analysis, successful revegetation for the parameters of cover, <br /> herbaceous production, woody plant density (background and concentration areas), and species <br /> diversity was demonstrated in both 20114012 and 2018/2019 vegetation sampling. The results of <br /> those demonstrations are summarized in the following sections. <br /> Vegetative Cover Evaluation <br /> 4 <br />