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;. <br />F. Soil Testing Plan <br />The upper two to three feet of soil material of the regraded area will be <br />tested, at a minimum, for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic <br />matter to determine fertilization requirements. A detail sampling <br />program will be formulated during final site reclamation. <br />G. Weed and Pest Control <br />Prior to any weed and pest control, La Plata Coal Corporation will obtain <br />recommendations from the Colorado State University Extension Service and <br />obtain approval from the Division. <br />During the adequacy review process, La Plata Coal Corporation requested <br />assistance from the Division in establishing revegetation success criteria for <br />this site. Based on information provided in the permit application and a <br />review of this site, the Division recommended the following criteria which <br />were agreed to by La Plata Coal Corporation. <br />A. For all areas except those south of La Plata County Road 120, the success <br />criteria of Rule 4.15.10 are applicable. These areas were disturbed <br />prior to the enactment of the law (C.R.S. 34-33-101 et seq), were <br />abandoned by the previous coal operator (Sunbelt Mining, Inc.), and were <br />never reclaimed to current revegetation standards. Therefore, the <br />requirements of reclaiming previously mined areas as presented in <br />Rule 4.15.10(1) are applicable. A minimum cover standard of 70 percent <br />is established which should be sufficient to prevent erosion and to <br />achieve the capability of the replaced plant growth medium. <br />B. For all areas south of La Plata County Road 120, the success criteria for <br />croplands (Rule 4.15.9) are applicable. This area includes the sediment <br />pond and associated diversion ditches which were installed since 1980. <br />La Plata Coal Corporation will develop a production standard based on <br />production values from adjacent croplands within Hay Gulch during the <br />last three years of the liability period. <br />The applicant is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XIII. Fish and Wildlife - Rules 2.04.11. 2.05.6(2) and 4.18 <br />Information pertaining to fish and wildlife resources may be found in <br />Section 2.04 (pages 2.04-28 to -31) and Exhibit 9 of the permit application. <br />La Plata Coal Corporation provided generalized information pertaining to <br />wildlife resources from a variety of publications and requested a site <br />evaluation by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). The CDOW believes <br />that the potential impact of this proposed mining operation to wildlife <br />resources is minimal since mining activities have been ongoing on a regular <br />basis since around 1905. Reclamation of the site will enhance wildlife <br />habitat in the area. <br />-24- <br />