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Page Five <br />Preliminary Adequacy Review <br />Crand Mesa Coal Co. - Red Canyon Mine <br />April 28, 1981 <br />7. The applicant states, on page 68, that samples T3 and T4 may be high <br />enough in Selenium to produce toxic concentrations in plants. However, <br />table 2.04.9(1)(b)-2 indicates Selenium levels of .33 and .36ppm for these <br />soils. These levels are well within the suitable range for topsoil. <br />2.04.10 Vegetation Information <br />1. It is not apparent from the vegetation map that plant communities have <br />been delineated for the entire area to be affected by the waste disposal <br />site. Type lines have not been included in the eastern portion of the pro- <br />posed site. <br />2. Rule 2.04.10(2) requires that the applicant include the proposed location <br />of any reference areas that are to be used in the evaluation of revegetation <br />success, as described in 4.15.7(4). On page 73 of the application, there <br />is a discussion of a revegetation study plot. This is not a reference area. <br />A reference area is a small area (2-3 acres) which is similar in terms of <br />slope, aspect, soils and vegetation type to an area that will be disturbed <br />by mining operations. The reference area, which will not be disturbed by <br />mining operations, must be shown to be at least equivalent (statistically) <br />to the corresponding vegetation type to be disturbed for the parameters of <br />cover and production. At the time of requested bond release on a reclaimed <br />area, the reference area cover and production means are used as standards of <br />revegetation success. See A Statistical Evaluation of Revegetation Success <br />on Coal Lands in the West, by Larry Larson, for a more complete discussion <br />of the reference area concept (see comments in the Revegetation Success <br />section of this letter). <br />3. Rule 2.09.10(4) requires a general discussion of the existing plant <br />communities within the permit area. The discussion should briefly analyze <br />the various factors; such as soil depth and quality, slope aspect, water <br />availability, and past management, etc., which influence vegetation dis- <br />tribution in the permit area. <br />2.04.11 Fish and Wildlife Resources Information <br />The applicant has contacted the Division of Wildlife regarding impacts of <br />the mining operation on wildlife in the area. It is stated in the application <br />that the primary concern of the D.O.W. is impacts on critical deer winter <br />range that might result with increased production and expansion of operations <br />in the future. The applicant should request, from the D.O.W., a map <br />indicating any designated critical deer winter range contained within, or <br />in the general vicinity of the permit area. This map should be included <br />as part of the permit application. <br />2.04.12 Prime Farmland Investigation <br />Based on information supplied within the application, the applicant's <br />request for a negative prime farmland determination is granted. <br />