Laserfiche WebLink
<br />on lands not currently disturbed or subjected to ayricultural production; <br />it covers 25 acres. The plant species in the yrassland community <br />indicate it is an abandoned hayfield. The upland sagebrush is the second <br />major community on uncultivated land, covering six acres. It occurs on <br />well drained soils not disturbed by ayricultural practices. The juniper <br />and riparian communities comprise a very small portion of the permit <br />area, approximately three acres. <br />Peabody Coal Company is proposing to return the disturbed area to dry land <br />pasture as discussed in the Land Use section of this document. Per Rule <br />4.15.9, the reveyetation success standard for cover and pruduction was <br />determined on the basis of pre-mining crop and herbaceous production from <br />the mined area and conunwrication with the Soil Conservation Service. <br />Shrubs will be planted in pre-determined groupings. Species adapted to <br />riparian conditions will be planted in the replaced irrigation channel <br />and drainages. Tlie Division approves the re vegetation success standards <br />proposed by Peabody Coal Company. <br />No threatened or endangered plant species were identified in the permit <br />area. <br />XII. Fish and Iildlife - Rules 2.04.11, 2.05.6(2), and 4.18 <br />Information concerning fish and wildlife that occur on the site can be <br />found in Volume IV, Tab. II. The mitigation plan for wildlife can be <br />found in Volume IV, Tab. 14, pages 14-5 through 14-1 U. <br />The mine site and general area is used by a large variety of wildlife. <br />No aquatic Habitat occurs ~+itlrin the proposed permit area itself but can <br />be found nearby. <br />There are five endangered species that could possibly use the site. None <br />of these species were encountered during the wildlife studies conducted <br />for the applicant. None of the wildlife habitat within the permit <br />boundaries is considered to be critical habitat fur threatened or <br />endangered species. Therefore, the Division finds that the proposed <br />mining activities would not affect the continued existence of endangered <br />or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse <br />modification of their critical habitats. (Rule 2.U1.6(2)(n)). <br />XII1. Prime Farmland -Rules 2.04.12. 2.06.6, and 4.25 <br />Information on the prime farmlands can be found in Volume II, Tab. 9, <br />pages 62 through 7U. <br />Based on the information submitted by the applicant aril information from <br />