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1 <br /> <br />I opportunities for good ground cover and forage production <br />' continued in use. Introduced species dominated the early mixes <br /> and revegetated areas. The addition of native species did not <br /> lessen introduced species dominance if certain introduced <br /> species were not deleted or the entire mix not carefully <br /> balanced in composition. This has resulted in older reclaimed <br />' areas that have excellent production and cover, but poor <br /> diversity and woody plant densities. Field observations and <br /> monitoring have identified these problems, and over the years <br /> various practices have been implemented to establish <br /> revegetated stands which better meet current standards. <br /> Direct-hauled topsoil has played a major role in improving <br /> stands. The mining operations at the Seneca II Mine have <br />' allowed for maximum direct-hauled replacement of topsoil. <br /> Mountain brush and big sagebrush native plant communities <br /> occurring on these soils within the mine area provide a broad <br /> range of desirable plant propogules for regeneration in <br /> reclaimed areas. Seed mixes have been significantly increased <br /> in the number of species and balanced for improved diversity. <br />' Tree and shrub seedlings have been planted in reclaimed areas <br /> not permanently seeded in order to reduce competition effects. <br /> These and other reclamation practices used at the Seneca II <br />' Mine have significantly enhanced more recently reclaimed areas <br /> in terms of current revegetation success criteria. <br />' <br /> Lands at the Seneca II Mine which were reclaimed in the late <br /> 1970's and early 1980's remain dominated by a relatively few <br /> species and have poor diversity and woody plant densities. <br />' Additionally, a number of these lands have a high composition <br /> of alfalfa (Medicaao sativa). These lands are under the same <br /> revegetation success criteria as more recently reclaimed lands, <br /> yet without a program of total conversion such as removal of <br /> the present vegetation and application of current technologies, <br /> these lands will most likely not meet the regulatory <br /> <br /> PEI-BODY COAL COMPANY <br />' Western Dlvlslon <br />