PERMFILE59844

• Permit No: C1980001A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 8/20/2003
• Section_Exhibit Name: 4.4 Revegetation Plan
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

• their use by livestock and wildlife is significantly diminished in terms of
cover, forage and browse.
In the Moffat Area, rather than attempt to restore dense, continuous
stands of woody plants, revegetation efforts will be geared towards the
establishment of
1
Reclaimed microhabitats should result in a distri u i plant
materials that create a community mosaic which provides "edge effect" and
cover for wildlife, and provides livestock with adequate shelter and
foraging areas. It is expected that the mosaic will contain areas where
woody stems are minimal and areas where their densities reach several
thousand stems per acre. This standard does not apply to West Ridge.
Zt is anticipated that the topsoiled areas will experience an
increase in woody plant stem density as the area is utilized for the
postmining land use (i.e., herbaceous vegetation is grazed). As herbivore
pressure is placed on the herbaceous species, the woody plants established
in the area will provide a source of plant materials capable of
establishing themselves in the vacant niches created through grazing.
4.d.2.2 Rangeland-Substitute Soils Standards
• For previously mined areas that were not reclaimed to the
requirements of the "Regulations of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation
Board for Coal Mining" (August 1980), the requirements of Rule 9.15.10 will
be met. Aule 9.15.10 specifies that:
"a minimum ground cover of living plants shall not be less than can be
supported by the best available topsoil or other suitable material in the
reaffected areas, shall not be less than the ground cover existing before
redisturbance, and shall be adequate to control erosion."
Most of the West Ridge Area falls into the previously disturbed
category (as well as.some other mining, road and facility areas that were
disturbed prior to the enactment of the CMLRB regulations). A small
portion of the Moffat Area on the south end also falls into this category,
although this area will be voluntarily subjected to the success standards
applied to the rest of the Moffat Area, except for the portion of the
Middle Moffat Haulroad that extends beyond the southern limit of the out-
of-pit spoil area and a reclaimed diversion ditch located south of the out-
of pit-spoil area. Data taken prior to the redisturbance of the pre-
permanent program reclaimed areas on West Ridge will be used to establish
• the minimum required ground cover for these areas. The data collected from
these areas is appropriate for establishing a ground cover standard, since:
Renewal-3 9.9-9 June 13, 1997