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• S E N E C A COALS , CAMPUS SIx OFFICE BUILDING SUITE 600 72015 EAST 46TH AVENUE DENVER, COLORADO 60239 TELEPHONE 1303) 371-7990 December 23, 1982 Ms. Sandy Emrich Reclamation Specialist Mined Land Reclamation 1313 Sherman Street Denver, Colorado 80203 iii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii L T D RECEIVED JAN 0 31983 MINED LAND RECEAMATIOR COLO. DEPT. OF NATURAE kESOURCES RE: Seneca II Mine Shrub Density Study and Response to Permit C-005-81 Stipulation ~/12 (CMLRB Letter of March 31, 1982) Dear Sandy: Please find attached a copy of the shrub density study for the Seneca II mine carried out this last field season. In addition, a proposed density level for reclaimed lands is presented. As can be seen in the report, average densities for all shrubs in direct haul top - soiled areas (the most common reclamation method at Seneca II) was 1740 stems/hectare (706/acre). The maximum age of the topsoiled and reclaimed areas studied was five years, with over 70 percent of the transects in reclaimed areas three years old or younger. Several of the transects had measured densities of over 3000 stems/hectare. Based on this report, previous studies noted in the report and the stated post mining land use goals, .~re~~e-:aa~.~cuer$gepshrr~~ly atle>I~dar~ of 2440+' ~~•(1fl~l- The proposed average density level is 21 percent of the premine mixed brush shrub density and 71 percent of the premine upland sagebrush shrub density. Since this is the proposed average density, aneo6.raf..#ke~eHSlin+ofion•wPH Mawe . The shrub planting program at Seneca II, in combination with the natural regenera- tion of shrubs, will aid in restoring a high level of wildlife habitat edge and diversity. It is felt That this level of establishment will provide a good balance of wildlife habitat and livestock grazing which is consistent with the Seneca II mine reclamation plan and post- mining land use goals. This will also take into account the improving Trend of woody plant establishment occurring on reclaimed areas at the Seneca II mine. In order to better evaluate and document the trend of woody plant establishment, during the 1983 field season permanent transects will be located at various 1982 study plot locations. The transects will be located in areas of high and low estimated densities. In addition, transects will be located in blocks of reclamation representative for each year since 1977. It is hoped that soils data may also be collected at these established transects. An added benefit will be the opportunity for observations of establishing native herbaceous vegetation. Observations during data collection this last summer indicated the return of such species as oniongrass (Melica bulbosa), American vetch (Vicia americans) and lupines (Lupinus sp.).