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were not satisfactorily addressed. The original standazd of 1000 stems per acre <br />remains in effect. It is quite probable that a lower overall woody plant density <br />standard could be approved, if the current woody plant reestablishment plan <br />were modified to incorporate certain additional measures included in the <br />reclamation plan for Seneca's recently approved Yoast Permit. Possible <br />modifications might include the use of mature transplant clumps in specific <br />patterns and locations, an increase in the density standard within designated <br />woody plant reestablishment areas, and other measures to enhance the wildlife <br />habitat value of the reclaimed landscape. <br />During the Permit Renewal 02 findings document preparation, it was discovered <br />that page 45, Tab 22, of the permit application states that the over-all woody <br />plant density for the mine reclaimed areas will be 450 stems per acre, with a <br />1000 stem per acre standazd within concentrated shrub planting azeas. This <br />contradicts the 1000 stem per acre overall standard specified in the PR #1 <br />proposed decision. In order to resolve this discrepancy, the following stipulation <br />is included in the proposed decision: <br />STIPULATION 23 <br />WITHIN 90 DAYS OF PERMIT RENEWAL 02 PROPOSED DECISION <br />ISSUANCE, THE PERMTTTEE WILL SUBMIT A COMPLETE <br />TECHNICAL REVISION APPLICATION TO THE DT~7ISION WHICH <br />EITHER: A) MODIFIES THE TEXT ON PAGE 45, TAB 22 TO <br />SPECIFY THAT THE OVERALL MINE AREA WOODY PLANT <br />DENSITY STANDARD IS 1000 STEMS PER ACRE, OR; B) INCLUDES <br />SUBSTANTIVE MODIFICATIONS TO THE APPROVED <br />RECLAMATION PLAN TO ENHANCE THE UTII.ITY OF THE <br />RECLAIMED LANDSCAPE FOR WILDLIFE, 1F AN OVERALL <br />STANDARD OF LESS THAT 1000 STEMS PER ACRE IS PROPOSED. <br />The applicant has submitted adequate information regazding plant species of <br />threatened or endangered status potentially occurring in the Seneca II-W Mine <br />permit area. During on site inventories conducted in 1983, 1985, and 1990, no <br />species of special concern were found. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was <br />contacted during the Permit Renewal 02 review, and they did not identify any <br />concerns with respect to potential effects of the operation on threatened or <br />endangered plant species. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.06(2)(n), the Division finds that, based on the available <br />information, the mining and reclamation activities will not affect the continued <br />existence of any threatened or endangered plant species or result in the <br />destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats. <br />37 <br />