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• <br />2 <br />II. Vegetation: <br />Existing vegetation types on the proposed permit site <br />include: <br />Cropland: usually planted to small grains, barley <br />or winter wheat, dryland pasture, improved pasture, <br />and rangeland. <br />This section is in compliance with rule 2.04.10. <br />III. Prime Farmland Investigation: Rule 2.04.12 <br />Two letters were received from the Soil Conservation <br />Service during the original permitting process of this <br />loadout facility prior to PCC's acquisition. The letters <br />are dated March 18, 1981, and April 13, 1978. Both <br />letters deny the existence of prime farmland within the <br />permit area. <br />IV. Topsoil Handling Plan: Rules 2.05.3(5) and 2.05.4(2)(d). <br />The pre-existing topsoil stockpiles will allow for <br />redistribution of 6-9" of topsoil replacement over a 54 <br />acre area. The applicant proposes to deep rip areas that <br />have received heavy traffic or compaction prior to <br />replacement of topsoil. At this time no new disturbance <br />is proposed. Should the applicant propose any new <br />disturbance, topsoil stripping, storage, and management <br />shall be approved by the Division prior to disturbance. <br />Topsoil replacement variance is proposed along the right <br />of ways of county roads 37 and 53, and U.S. highway 40. <br />V. Revegetation: Rule 2.05.4(2)(e) <br />Seedmixes proposed are compatible with the proposed <br />postmining land use of grazing and wildlife. The <br />operator will disc areas for seedbed preparation prior to <br />seeding operations. Discing and seeding operations will <br />be performed on the contour were slopes allow. If <br />fertility testing indicates phosphorus is deficient <br />phosphorus will be incorporated into the seedbed at the <br />time of discing operations. <br />Four seed mixes are proposed by the operator. These <br />include a Dryland pasture mix, Improved pasture mix, <br />Rangeland mix, and a temporary disturbance mix. The <br />Division encourages the use of native species in seed <br />mixes and requests the operator demonstrate the utility <br />and necessity of introduce species as required by Rule <br />4.15.2(3) <br />1) Why is the operator proposing to include alfalfa <br />(Medicaao sativa) in the rangeland seed mix? <br />Although this species is a relatively small <br />component of the seed mix the Division would <br />