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During the previous permit renewal process, three area of concern were <br />identified regarding re vegetation on reclaimed areas. Those concerns <br />were 1) the presence of Canada thistle, 2) an overabundance of alfalfa, <br />and 3) very low woody plant density. Peabody Coal Company has sprayed <br />with herbicides in an effort to control Canada thistle. Grazing and a <br />reduction of alfalfa in the seed mix have been used to reduce the <br />abundance of alfalfa. Peabody Coal Company has planted clumps of shrub <br />and tree transplants in an effort to increase the average per acre woody <br />stem density. <br />Grazing has been permitted on portions of the reclaimed Wadge mining area <br />since 1986. The operator has been required to monitor annually the <br />effects of grazing on the study area, with the results submitted to the <br />Division. Reports have been submitted as required. This commitment <br />remains in effect for the 1992-1996 permit term. <br />With the continued acceptance of the above stipulation, the operation is <br />in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />IX. Post-mining Land Use <br />1. The post-mining land use for the mine will be livestock grazing and <br />wildlife habitat, which is consistent with pre-mining land uses. <br />X. Protection of Fish, Wildlife and Related Environmental Values <br />1. The applicant has used persistent pesticides on the site during <br />mining and/or reclamation operations. The Division previously <br />approved this usage. Dicambra, Picloram and 2,4-D herbicides will <br />be used to control established stands of noxious weeds. The <br />Division has determined that the proposed application rates of these <br />chemicals will not prove harmful to fish, wildlife, or the <br />environment in general. (4.18(4)(9)). <br />XI. Concurrent Surface and Underground Mining <br />1. The Division proposes to grant a variance from contemporaneous <br />reclamation for portions of the permit area in order that <br />underground mining can be developed. Auger Area E has not been <br />reclaimed so that the exposed highwall might be used in portal <br />development for recovery of the Cow Camp underground reserves. <br />Underground operations have not yet begun, nor has an underground <br />mining application been submitted. Reclamation of Auger Area E may <br />be postponed until surface mining operations at the Seneca II Mine <br />are completed, at which time underground operations will likely <br />commence. Should the area not be used in conjunction with <br />underground mining it will be fully reclaimed at the end of surface <br />mining activities. (4.22.2). <br />XII. Operations on Alluvial Valley Floors <br />Information pertinent to alluvial valley floor (AVF) determinations is <br />provided in Volumes 4, 5, and 6, Tab 7, of the permit application. Additional <br />information used by the Division in the identification of potential AVF <br />locations was Map 15 (Alluvial Valley Floors, Land Use and Water Rights) from <br />the Foidel Creek life-of-mine permit application (C-82-056). <br />-3 3- <br />