Laserfiche WebLink
-22- <br />The portal pad outslopes will be topsoiled and seeded immediately following <br />their construction, while the remainder of the topsoil will remain stockpiled <br />for the life of the operation. According to Rule 4.10.4(5) the portal pads <br />and the proposed surface coal mine waste disposal facility must receive 4 feet <br />of non-toxic, non combustible cover. There is sufficient material including <br />topsoil to ensure this requirement is met. <br />The proposed operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XII. Vegetation - Rules 2.04.10. 2.05.4(2)(e). and 4.15 <br />Baseline vegetation information is contained in Section 3.6 of the revision <br />application, and the revegetation plan is described in Sections 4.4.3.5 and <br />4.4.4. Supporting data is located n Appendices 3.6-1, 3.6-2 and 3.6-4. <br />Thirty-one acres of the disturbance at the Coal Ridge site is in the sagebrush <br />vegetation community. A reference area located on land managed by the Bureau <br />of Land Management, adjacent to the permit area, will be used to determine <br />revegetation success standards. This_area was sampled by the applicant in <br />1983, and the Division has previously determined that the reference area is <br />representative of the pre-mine sagebrush community in the permit area. The <br />BLM has stated that the reference area is accessible and appropriate far use <br />by NCEC. Less than one acre of the mountain shrub community has been <br />disturbed (the portal areas), and these will also be reclaimed to the <br />sagebrush success standard. <br />Approximately 4 acres of irrigated cropland has also been disturbed by the <br />operation. Revegetation success of the cropland will be determined by <br />statistical comparison with the surrounding undisturbed irrigated cropland. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.6(2)(n), and based on available information, the <br />Division finds that proposed mining activity will not affect the existence of <br />endangered plant species or result in destruction or adverse modification of <br />their critical habitats as determined under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. <br />Revegetation efforts at the Coal Ridge No. 1 Mine consist of temporary <br />measures which took place after initial construction activities and permanent <br />revegetation activities which will be undertaken at the time of mine closure. <br />Temporary revegetation measures included the seeding of a predominantly native <br />seed mix consistent with the requirements of Rule 4.15.2, and mulching with <br />straw mulch of 1.5 tons/acre which was anchored with tackifier. Growth has <br />been judged successful by the Division. <br />Final revegetation measures for areas to be reclaimed to native vegetation <br />will include the drill seeding of a more diverse and predominantly native seed <br />mix with a balance of grasses, fortis, and woody plants. Seeding will occur in <br />late spring or early autumn, and the seed bed will be prepared prior to <br />seeding. Straw mulch will be applied at 1.5 tons/acre and crimped. <br />Fertilizer will be applied as necessary based on topsoil analyses for major <br />nutrients. <br />