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The following shrub and tree planting lists include trees and shrubs for specif i<: planting <br />sites. The planted species will attempt to establish islands that will eventually develop <br />woody plant communities, restore habitat, and enhance plant community diversity, pattern, <br />and structure. The plantings are not intended to restore woody plant communities on a <br />large scale in the mine affected areas. As explained in Woody Plant Density under the <br />success standards, restoring even moderate densities on n (a rge scale is not feasible by <br />the end of an extended liability period or life-of-mine.. However, the species selected <br />for the various planting areas are native to the area and site-adapted end may be able to <br />spread and colonize new areas over time. The plantings will be concentrated in larger <br />open blocks of the reclaimed area to promote woody plant reestablishment and mitigate <br />wildlife habitat Loss. They will be sufficiently scattered to diversify habitat <br />potential. Development of wildlife corridors was also a consideration. Exhibit 13-1 <br />shows primary selection areas for planting sites. These areas do not represent the <br />acreage to be established, but illustrate the primary areas within which concentrated <br />plantings will be distributed. Final site selection and additional planting sites will be <br />based on field observation. Sufficient sites will be established to meet the criteria in <br />the woody plant density success criteria. <br />Natural regeneration of shrubs, particularly big sagebrush and mountain snowberry, has • <br />played an important role in woody plant reestablishment at the Seneca II Mine. These two <br />shrubs occur in native stands that have a high composition of herbaceous species. It <br />should be expected that these two species will dominata shrub compsition in reclaimed <br />areas which are also comprised of primarily herbaceous species. Complimenting natural <br />regeneration will be the inclusion of shrub seed in the seed mixes and the establishment <br />of concentrated shrub seeding areas where competing herbaceous vegetation will be <br />controlled. The close proximity of undisturbed native vegetation, some of which may occur <br />within the mine affected area, will also enhance woody plant mitigation efforts. <br />Shrub and tree seedlings Milt be selected from planting stock developed from regional <br />genotypes. Planting stock Mill primarily be containerized, although bare root stock may <br />occasionally be used. Since 1990, Peabody has been planting chokecherry, serviceberry, <br />and Gambel oak seedlings developed from seed collected at the Seneca Mine. This practice <br />will continue; however, poor seed crops for species such as Gambel oak are common and may <br />restrict the level at which a species may be used in a given year. Table 13-6 lists the <br />primary species and addition/substitute species to 6e used in planting areas. The species • <br />selected represent those species which may have a better opportunity for establishment -- <br />considering the more xeric site conditions of the reel aimed areas. Aspen has been <br />13-22 Revised 12/01/93 <br />