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18. Seneca Coal Company's comprehensive weed management plan required by Routt County was properly incorporated into the II-W permit via revised Tab 22 text and new Appendix 22-5. Item Resolved. 19. The concern identified in this item appears to have been adequately addressed by revision of Exhibit 22-1, which eliminates the shrub establishment area on the steep south facing slopes of the "D" Pit final highwall area. The response commits to proper renovation in accordance with the approved weed control plan, and commits to proper documentation of reseeding associated with weed control, in the appropriate Annual Reclamation Reports. Item Resolved. 20. Considering the blocks of undisturbed aspen and mountain shrub habitat to be retained within the immediate vicinity of reclamation in the II-W North and South Mine Areas (which under the previously approved plan would have been disturbed), proposed modifications to woody planting areas depicted on amended Exhibit 22-1 appear to be acceptable. Item Resolved. 21. Under the revised revegetation plan as depicted on amended Exhibit 22-1, all five aspen planting areas (including the RMRS test plots) and both "aspen farm" areas will be enclosed with elk proof fencing. Two of the five upland shrub planting areas in the South Area will be elk fenced, however none of the 13 upland shrub planting areas in the original (North Mine) area will be fenced. We believe elk fencing of additional upland shrub planting areas would be prudent, and would be likely to enhance growth and survival of planted tall shrub species. At a minimum, please revise the plan to specify elk fencing of the recently planted upland shrub site at the upper end of the 006-SEI watershed in the "A" Pit area, and the planned upland shrub site at the upper end of the 005-E1 watershed in the "D" Pit area. New Items 22. Seeding method narrative for the Yoast permit was recently amended to specify that sagebrush seed would be broadcast or dribble seeded, with minimal soil coverage. Based on II-W permit seeding method narrative in the first paragraph of page 29, Tab 22, we assume that sagebrush seed would be included in the "small seed" component of the mix, and as such would in effect be dribbled on the soil surface when seeded from the drill. Please confirm this assumption, or amend the text to clarify that sagebrush seed will be broadcast or dribble seeded. 23. Please amend Seedmix No. 1 (Table 22-1) to correspond to the recent Yoast PR-Z changes regarding species/variety specifications for Idaho/sheep fescue, and bluebunch/Snake river wheatgrass, for the same reasons noted in the PR-2 review.