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<br />XI. Topsoil - Rules 2.04.9, 2.05.3(5), 2.05.4(2)(d), and 4.06 <br />The topsoi] salvage, storage and redistribution measures of the mining and <br />reclamation plan were carried out according to the plan approved in the permit <br />application and summarized in the original findings document. Prior to <br />Phase I bond release the Division verified topsoil depths on reclaimed sites. <br />No problems have been identified to date. One Stipulation (9) was attached to <br />the original findings and has been satisfied. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />XII. Yegetation - Rules 2.04.10, 2.04.(2), and 4,15 <br />Vegetation information is contained in Chapter K of Volume 5 and Chapter M of <br />Volume 5. <br />The reclaimed site is entering its fourth year of growth after seeding. The <br />Division sampled the site in July of 1989 for shrub density, cover, and <br />species diversity. This sampling was performed to provide the Division with <br />information about the initial vegetation success and potential need for <br />interseeding. The result of the sampling indicated that to this point cover <br />was adequate for erosion control. Diversity and shrub density were moving <br />towards meeting success standards. <br />Over the past three years Enron Coal Company has been treating the reclaimed <br />area with different combinations of control measures in an attempt to control <br />the noxious weeds leafy spurge and Canada thistle. One of the major tools <br />used has been the herbicides piclorm and dicamba, which both control or <br />eliminate a wide variety of annua] and perennial broad leaf plants. Due to <br />this extensive treatment program and the potential deleterious effects to <br />forbs and shrubs, the operator requested that their species diversity and <br />shrub density standards be revised. The changes requested that for species <br />diversity, the forb component be reduced to the one shrub or forb instead of <br />the present two forbs and one shrub and shrub density be reduced to 50 stems <br />per acre from 500 stems per acre. <br />While the Division recognizes the effort put forth by the operator to control <br />noxious weeds, it would not be prudent to deviate from the present standards <br />at this point in the liability period. Therefore, the Division and the <br />operator agreed that the standard would remain as originally permitted with <br />the understanding that if continued weed control measures conclusively impact <br />the diversity and woody stem density, the standards may be revised either <br />during the next midterm review or permit renewal, both of which are prior to <br />final bond release. <br />There were four stipulations (10, 11, 12, 13) attached to the original <br />findings. All have been satisfied or are being complied with. <br />The operation is in compliance with the requirements of this section. <br />-]0- <br />