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V. Reveqetation <br />Reveqetation information is found in Section 4.4.2.3-Reveqetation Plan <br />of the permit, inclusive of pages 4-54 through 4-65. The original <br />permit included Stipulations 3, 4, 5, and 6, which related to <br />revegetation standards and practices. The operator received Division <br />approval to revise revegetation success standards and presented an <br />acceptable tree and shrub planting plan which satisfied the listed <br />stipulations. <br />Prior to reclamation, the operator proposed to utilize several <br />introduced species in the seed mix. These species include: Russian <br />wildrye (Elymus 'unceus), Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum>, <br />Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus titer), and Orchardgrass (Dactylis <br />glomerata). <br />None are considered poisonous or noxious and received Division <br />approval. Four different seed mixes received approval. Seed Mix No. 1 <br />was developed for use on south-facing slopes and harsh locations, like <br />the dry, exposed Mancos Shale areas. Seed Mix No. 2 utilized species <br />adapted for more mesic, cooler, and flatter sites. Seed Mix No. 3 <br />contained species for use on the reclaimed refuse disposal area, mine <br />area, and less harsh road cuts. The fourth seed mix was developed for <br />quick effective cover for topsoil stockpiles. <br />The mine was reclaimed between 1986 and 1987 with final grading, seed <br />preparation, and seeding practices performed in the fall of 1987. Seed <br />was drill seeded in accessible areas with straw mulch crimped for <br />stability. In locations where steep slopes prohibited drill seeding, <br />the appropriate seed mix was broadcast and straw mulch applied and <br />netted for stability. Woods rose (Rosa woodsii), mountain mahogany <br />(Cercocarpos montanus>, and serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) were <br />added to the seed mixes prior to planting. The operator has committed <br />to additional live transplants to achieve the required woody plant <br />densities. <br />In 1992, Technical Revision No. 12 was submitted to modify the <br />reclamation success standards for the loadout area due to an approved <br />post-mining land use change to residential/recreational. Three <br />different vegetation community types remain: Mountain shrubland-dry <br />phase, Mountain shrubland-moist phase, and Riparian woodland. Since <br />the mountain shrubland-moist phase and riparian woodland are considered <br />minor communities, the success criteria applicable to the mountain <br />shrubland-dry phase are applicable to these other two areas as well. <br />The criteria applied to the reclaimed lands to measure adequate <br />reclamation success are: species diversity, vegetative cover, <br />herbaceous production, and woody plant density. Success will be <br />determined by comparison with an undisturbed extended reference area. <br />Baseline data was not collected on the mine area prior to disturbance, <br />as this area was being mined prior to the enactment of the current <br />law. Originally, a reference area was delineated in an undisturbed <br />area which the operator felt most closely approximated pre-mining <br />conditions. Upon further analysis, the operator felt the use of an <br />_21_ <br />