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mitted by the applicant in order to bring this program into com- <br />pliance with the permanent regulatory program (see Chapter III of <br />this TEA). <br />The applicant proposes to use the reference area concept to <br />determine reclamation success. The evaluation will include an <br />analysis of cover, productivity and diversity on both reference <br />and reve9etated areas (pp. 10-12, Appendix F, Vol. II of the per- <br />mit application). However, evaluation of woody plant density is <br />also needed to bring the program into compliance with the per- <br />manent regulatory program (see Chapter III of this TEA). The <br />method of weighted averages will be used to compare all reference <br />areas to the entire revegetated area. <br />The applicant has designated rangeland and wildlife habitat <br />as the postmining land use. The applicant's revegetation plan <br />will reestablish a predominantly grassland environment for range <br />land use. The forb and shrub species included in the seed mix <br />will help to enhance wildlife habitat. Furthermore, the <br />applicant proposes to conduct a wildlife mitigation program <br />consisting of creating an ecological study area, developing a <br />monitoring program, actions to minimize disturbances during the <br />course of mining, and enhancement of wildlife habitat in the <br />reclamation phase. A further discussion of these proposed <br />actions is presented in Chapter III of this TEA. <br />-47- <br />