2022-11-07_REVISION - C1981041 (2)

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The Division has approved of the reference areas which the permiee has selected based on the requirements of Rule 4.15.7(3). The reference areas will be utilized to determine revegetation success in a manner which the Division finds acceptable (4.15.7(4)). Technical standards are proposed for woody plant density and species diversity success determination,pursuant to Rule 4.15.7(2)(d)(iii). The standard for woody plant density is 800 woody plant stems per acre. The Division has approved the standard after consultation with the Division of Wildlife, pursuant to Rule 4.15.8(7). The species diversity standard is specified on page 14-24. The standard is as follows: - Total perennial cool season grass species > 0.5%relative cover; - Total perennial warm season grass species> 2% relative cover; - Total perennial forbs and suffrutescent species > 0.5%relative cover, -No reclaimed area shall have a single species that represents greater than 70% relative cover, with the exception of annual grasses. The annual grass component shall not exceed 70% relative cover unless the annual grass component in the corresponding reference area also exceeds 70%. In such cases, the relative cover of the annual grass component of the reclaimed area shall not exceed the relative cover of the annual grass component in the reference area by more than 5%. The Division finds that the proposed standard will satisfy the species diversity and seasonal variety requirements of Rules 4.15.8(5) and 4.15.8(6). XIL Post-mining Land Use Premining land use in the permit area was a combination of "Fish and Wildlife Habitat" and "Industrial or Commercial". Much of the land in the Cameo area of Debeque Canyon, including the South Portals area on the east side of the Colorado River, and along the conveyor route to and including the Unit Train Loadout on the west side of the River, was originally identified as "Industrial or Commercial". This classification was based on the long history of mining activity in the area, and the close proximity of the mine disturbed areas to developed commercial/industrial features including the Cameo Power Plant facilities, Interstate 70, and the Union Pacific Railroad. Lands that were undeveloped at the time of initial mine permitting, including portions of the South Portal area and all the disturbed areas in Coal Canyon, were classified as "Fish and Wildlife Habitat" Premining land use. See Exhibit 62 (Premining Land Use). Prior to PR-3, the approved postmining land use for all disturbed lands in the permit area was "Fish and Wildlife Habitat". In PR-3, the Division approved a proposal to change the postmining land use for a portion of the South Portals disturbed area from 51