Laserfiche WebLink
Peabody Coal Company has proposed six site-adapted perennial seed <br />mixtures (pages 13-12 to 13-18 of Volume V12, Tab 13) which are <br />supplemented with available forb and shrub seeds. In order for the <br />Division to adequately evaluate the seed mixtures, it was requested that <br />the Seneca II tdine seed mixture be sent to the Division annually for <br />approval prior to the purchase of each year's seeds. This approach would <br />allow the Division to review forb and shrub seeds to be planted and also <br />changes in planting that may result from the trials at Seneca II Mine. <br />In addition, several introduced species have been proposed in the seed <br />mixes. The proposed introduced species are compatible with the plant and <br />animal species of the region and may be necessary for the approved <br />post-mining land use. They will be allowed only when native varieties <br />are unavailable. The introduced species will be approved on a <br />case-by-case basis when the yearly seed mix is submitted. <br />Since Peabody Coal Company plans to continue this practice of adding forb <br />and shrub species to the permanent seed mixture based on availability, <br />the Division deems it appropriate to retain the following stipulation. <br />STIPULATION N0. 13: <br />A LIST OF PROPOSED SEED MIXTURES MUST BE SUBMITTED ANNUALLY TO THE <br />DIVISION FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. THE LIST SHOULD INCLUDE PURE LIVE SEED <br />(PLS) PER SQUARE FOOT, POUNDS PLS PER ACRE, SPECIES ORIGIN, AND ACRE <br />ESTIMATES TO BE SEEDED FOR EACH MIX. <br />As stated on page 20 of the original Seneca II findings document <br />(August 10, 1981), "Peabody has committed to submit to the Division an <br />annual planning map for the reclamation to be done fora particular year <br />showing the approximate location of the shrub and aspen plantings". The <br />annual submittal of this map will continue for the duration of this <br />permit renewal period. <br />To evaluate reclamation success, Peabody Coal Company has committed to a <br />quantitative monitoring program for years 2, 4 and 7 following initial <br />seeding as outlined on pages 13-29a to 29e of the permit renewal <br />application. The data and results from this monitoring program will be <br />submitted to the Division during the winter following field measurements. <br />No proposed or listed threatened or endangered plant species have been <br />identified on or adjacent to the Seneca II Mine site. Therefore, the <br />Division finds that the mining activities will not affect the continued <br />existence of threatened or endangered plant species or result in the <br />destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats. <br />Two reference areas, a sage area and a mixed brush area will be used to <br />evaluate cover and productivity on reclaimed lands. Cover will be deemed <br />successful when the reclaimed area has 90% of the reference area cover, <br />at a 90% confidence level. Production will be considered successful when <br />reclaimed lands can support an equal or greater number of animal unit <br />months (aum) as the reference area. Woody plant densities will be <br />acceptable when an average of at least 1,000 stems per acre are present. <br />Diversity success will be determined by reference area comparison using <br />the Shannon-Weiner diversity index based on productivity. <br />-32- <br />