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• ecological, and successional factors acting upon the reclaimed areas containing shrubs or trees. <br />The extensive and competitive herbaceous reclaimed communities restrict woody plant <br />establishment and development. This is further complicated by the inherently slow growth and <br />development of woody plants and the significant change in site characteristics on reclaimed <br />mining areas. While reinvasion and natural regeneration of shrubs will greatly aid in returning <br />shrubs on the reclaimed landscape, the above factors aze a significant barrier towazds achieving <br />anything that even closely approaches moderate premine densities. <br />The specified overall densities, the densities within the concentrated planting areas, and the <br />pattern of plantings will provide areas within the reclaimed mining blocks where eventual <br />expansion of shrubs may take place. The patterns will benefit wildlife habitat seeds and <br />provide cover. In the interim, the herbaceous dominated reclaimed areas will provide <br />substantial Foraging benefits Eor wildlife and livestock and diversify regional habitat. <br />Woody plant density success will be evaluated on the basis of a performance standazd. As pet <br />CDMG suggestion, it is requested that the overall woody plant density standard for the Seneca <br />II-W Mine (including the South Extension Area) be 200 stems pet acre. In concentrated <br />• planting areas, the woody plant density standazd will be 2,000 stems per acre. However, in the <br />concentrated aspen sites the density standazd will be based on future test plot results and <br />planting strategies based on those results. In the mesic drainage-wetter phase sites along Dry <br />Creek, at least 150 stems per acre as tree species will be included in the 2,000 stem density <br />standard. At the permanent pond sites, the 2,000 stem density standard will include at least 150 <br />stems per acre as tree speues. Exhibit 22-1 illustrates the general location of the shrub and the <br />tree planting azeas. Shrub and tree establishment azeas will be delineated and sampled <br />sepazately from the genera] reclaimed units. Random or systematically placed density plots, <br />depending on size of unit, will be used in sampling. Plo! size will be 100m2. <br />The woody plant density of the appropriate revegetated area will be considered acceptable if <br />the density is not less than 90 percent of the approved standard in reclaimed lands and <br />concentrated sites with 90 percent statistical confidence. Density shall be determined by the <br />number of countable tree and shrub stems per unit area. Woody plant densities will be <br />measured in a lm x 50m (SOm~) or larger direct count quadrat. All quadrats will be randomly <br />located and sampling intensity will be to statistical adequacy or a specified maximum sample <br />• size determined in consultation with CDMG. The counted tree or shrub will be alive and <br />healthy and in place at least two growing seasons. <br />TR-50 <br />55 <br />Revised 07/05 <br />