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Area No. 3), will be matched to the SREF A/SREF B combination. Because the reclaimed areas <br />may be composed of portions of all three communities, each area will be assessed for success <br />using the weighted averages method of comparison outlined in Rule 4.15.7(4)(b). A revegetation <br />success standard will be used for woody plant density and species diversity. <br />The upland sagebrush community is dominated by Big sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata), <br />Needle-and-thread grass (Stipa comata) and Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis). Other grasses <br />include sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus), Squirrel-tail (Etymus elymoides), Indian <br />ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides) and Galleta (Hilaria jamesii). <br />The grassland community consists basically of the same grass species found in the upland <br />sagebrush community. <br />The juniper-pinon community is dominated by Utah juniper (Sabina osteosperma), Big <br />sagebrush, Pinon pine (Pinus edulus), and the same grasses mentioned above. <br />The present land use of the area is for cattle grazing and wildlife habitat. The proposed mine <br />area and surrounding area is used by a large variety of wildlife including coyotes, fox, mule <br />deer, elk (in the winter) and numerous bird species. <br />Description of the Operation and Reclamation Plan <br />Operations for the Hamilton Mine have ceased with the exception of reclamation activities. <br />Mining operations were conducted for approximately one year and the final blasting occurred <br />on June 3,1993. All coal was shipped to the Nucla Power Plant and in September , 1993, final <br />reclamation of the site commenced. Reclamation activities were completed that fall, and the <br />total disturbed site, 92 acres was seeded. The site was reseeded again in the fall of 1995 due <br />to drought like conditions in 1994 and 1995. Operations on the Hamilton Mine were conducted <br />according to plans in section 2.05 of the permit. The Hamilton Mine recovered coal from two <br />mining areas, although they were permitted to mine in three. Mine area one is in the north part <br />of the permit area; mine area two to the south, and the third mine area to the east. <br />Coal was trucked from the mine via county roads GG 25 and HH 31 for delivery to the buyer. <br />The lower Dakota 4 seam is of minable thickness in the southern portion of the permit area. <br />At a coal production rate of 350,000 tons per .year, the mine had an expected life of <br />approximately 7 years, from initial disturbance to final reclamation. <br />Some of the overburden layers were found to be acidic. The operator identified these <br />overburden layers and selectively handled them so none of this acid producing material was <br />replaced within four feet (including topsoil cover) of the reclaimed surface. <br />Topsoil was replaced to a final thickness varying from 10 to 20 inches. The replacement plan <br />is more specifically addressed in Section 2.05.3(5) of the permit. Weed free straw mulch was <br />applied to reclaimed areas following seeding. Mulch was applied at a rate of 4,000 pounds per <br />acre and crimped in along the contour. Following successful establishment of vegetation, all <br />surface water diversions and sediment ponds will be reclaimed. <br />8 <br />