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preparation of a very rough seedbed with track-hoe or dozer blade gouges. These modified <br /> practices will apply to areas topsoiled and revegetated during or subsequent to 2003. <br /> With PR3, the operator committed to implementing an aspen reestablishment field study <br /> evaluating the feasibility of aspen reestablishment on reclaimed areas,using sapling transplants <br /> obtained from aspen stands on the permit area. The detailed study design is presented in Tab 22, <br /> Appendix 22-3. Aspen reestablishment approaches and success standards for aspen, are based <br /> on information gained from the study. Design and scheduling changes associated with the aspen <br /> study were approved by TR47 in February 2004. The aspen study and other aspen plantings have <br /> been conducted to date in conformance with the amended plan and schedule. <br /> Successful woody stem density establishment is based upon five standards. Two of the <br /> standards are mandatory, and two of the three secondary standards must be met for the woody <br /> plant establishment to be considered successful. These standards are: <br /> o Mandatory Shrub Standard: Overall, non-fenced reclaimed land shall have at least <br /> 200 woody stems per acre. <br /> o Mandatory Shrub Standard: Volunteer shrub concentrations, including unfenced <br /> plantings, will have a minimum of 1000 woody stems per acre on at least 10% of <br /> the unfenced reclaimed acreage. <br /> o Two of the three secondary standards must be met: <br /> • Secondary Standard 1;within fenced upland woody plant plots, a <br /> minimum of 945 woody stems per acre will be established. <br /> • Secondary Standard 2; within woody plant establishment areas, riparian <br /> fenced and non-fenced areas will have a minimum of 945 woody stems <br /> per acre. Within riparian areas at least 150 stems per acre will be <br /> comprised of tree or tall shrub species. <br /> • Secondary Standard 3; Woody plant establishment areas, fenced Aspen, <br /> will be comprised of a minimum of 945 woody stems per acre, of which a <br /> minimum of 150 stems per acres will be aspen. <br /> Please see exhibit 22-1 for location of woody plant establishment areas. <br /> The applicant has submitted adequate information regarding plant species of threatened or <br /> endangered status potentially occurring in the Seneca IIW Mine permit area. During on site <br /> inventories conducted in 1983, 1985, 1990 and 1997,no species of special concern were found. <br /> The Division of Wildlife and the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service were contacted during the <br /> PR2, PR3, PR4, PR5, RN4, and RN5 reviews, and did not identify any concerns with respect <br /> to potential effects of the operation on threatened or endangered plant species. <br /> The Threatened and Endangered species discussion in the permit are accurate and up to date. <br /> Supporting documentation and data can be found in Tab 11,Appendix I I-I and Exhibits I I-I <br /> through 11-3. <br /> Pursuant to Rule 2.07.06(2)(n), the Division finds that,based on the available information,the <br /> mining and reclamation activities will not affect the continued existence of any threatened or <br /> endangered plant species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical <br /> habitats. <br /> In PR5, the Weed Control plan section of permit Tab 22 text was amended, and a new <br /> comprehensive weed management plan applicable to Seneca IIW and other SPL properties in <br /> Routt County was incorporated into the permit as Appendix 22-5, Weed Management Plan. <br /> Page 31 of 37 <br />