GENERAL34573 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-25- In describing the pre-mining plant communities the applicant has submitted qualitative data from a 1979 phytosociological study and quantitative data from a 1980 community parameter analysis. The applicant has elected to use reference areas to analyze revegetation success at the termination of mining. Several concerns arose during the course of the review and were not resolved. With the acceptance of the following stipulations the Division finds the proposed operation in compliance. During the Division's review it was determined that vegetative sanpling of cover and production for pre-mine and reference areas of the pinyon-juniper community type was not adequate. However, based on planimetry and infornation provided in the permit application, the Division has determined that the pinyon-juniper vegetation type is not to be significantly iompacted by mining disturbances under this mine plan. The pinyon-juniper community type constitutes 23 acres which will be disturbed of a total of 192 acres to be disturbed at the mine. This accounts for 8% of the total disturbance. In addition, reestablishment of this vegetative communnity type is not being required of CCMC due to it`s limited usefulness in achieving commensurate or improved post-mining land use conditions. Therefore, under Division policy, CCMC is not required to meet quantitative sampling requirements for the pinyon-juniper community. N qualitative description is all that is required, and this has been provided for the pinyon-juniper community. In reviewing shrub density data collected it was determined that the applicant had not provided enough information to assess adequacy of sampling or comparability of reference areas and pre-mine areas. Additional information provided by the applicant demonstrated that adequate woody plant density sampling had been performed in the pre-mine grassland vegetation community. This data will provide the Division with a basis for evaluation of woody plant density reclamation standards. In later correspondence the applicant has proposed a lower post-mining shrub tlensity. It is therefore a stipulation to the permit that: Stipulation No. 6 THE PERMITTEE SHALL WURK WITH THE DIVISION TU ESTABLISH AN ACCEPTABLE PUST-MINING SHRUB DENSITY STANDARD BY NO LATER THAN 6 MONTHS NF TER PERMIT ISSUANCE. During review of the applicant's revegetation plan a number of concerns were encountered which were resolved. These are listed oelow. The applicant's seed mix was found to be unbalanced with respect to seasonality, and contained some species unacceptable to the Division for inclusion in reclamation seed mixes. The applicant modified the seed mix to the satisfaction of the Division.