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Woody plant density standards have been determined from studies and standards <br />encountered at comparable surface mines in the North West Colorado region. The <br />overall woody plant density for reclaimed azeas will be 450 stems per acre. <br />Concentrated shrub establishment sites will have a woody stem density standazd of <br />2000 stems per acre. <br />All applicable standards, except species diversity, will be attained at not less than <br />90% of the standard with a 90% statistical confidence interval as required by Rules <br />4.15.8(3), (4), and (7). The region the permit area is located in is typified by cool <br />season species. The seed mixes reflect the dominance of cool season species. No <br />attempt will be made to establish warm season species nor would such establishment <br />be appropriate in this locale. <br />Periodic monitoring will occur on the reclaimed sites. Quantitative vegetation <br />sampling will be performed in years 2, 4, and 7 following the year an area was <br />seeded. Qualitative monitoring of the reclaimed azeas will be performed periodically <br />to assess rill and gully formation, potential noxious weed problems, and evaluate <br />seeding success. Seneca Coal Company will submit an Annual Reclamation Report <br />to the Division by March 30th of each year. The Division approves of this proposal <br />and finds it in compliance with Rule 2.04.13(1). A rill and gully report will be <br />submitted to the Division by June 1st of each year. <br />IX. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />Baseline fish and wildlife information is contained in Tab I1 of the permit <br />application package. The fish and wildlife mitigation plan is located in Tab 23. <br />Seneca Coal Company developed a wiidiife monitoring and mitigation plan in <br />conjunction with the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) and the United States <br />Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Annual surveys will monitor large game <br />populations and use of reclaimed areas, raptor nesting in the permit area, presence <br />and use of the mine area by sage grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, and blue <br />grouse, and presence of any endangered or threatened species in the permit area. <br />Short and long term impacts to wildlife identified in the permit application package <br />relate to habitat loss. One of the post mine land uses which the reclamation plan <br />aims to reestablish is wildlife habitat. Habitat loss will be mitigated by including <br />measures to reestablish wildlife habitat during contemporaneous reclamation of <br />disturbed areas, and by avoidance of impacts during operations. Those measures <br />include, <br />use of beneficial native plants in the reclamation seed mix, <br />establishment of shrub and/or tree islands to provide cover and <br />roosting azeas in the reclaimed areas, <br />Yoazt Mine 37 August 3, 2005 <br />