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• Conclusions <br />In November 2004[, quantitative assessments were conducted on nine concentrated shrub plots at <br />the Seneca II-West Mine. These areas had been planted with high concentrations of shrub seed or <br />shrub nursery stock. The intention of these plantings was to achieve higher levels of shtvb presence <br />than would otherwise have resulted from the area wide reclamation. Experience has shown that the <br />inclusion of shrubs along with other general seed Hexes tend to produce relatively few shrubs <br />because the competition from herbaceous plants, espedally grasses, is overwhela»ng oppressive. <br />Over the nine shrub concentration areas sampled in 20041, shrub density averaged about 1,875 stems <br />per acre in these concentrated areas, (see Photo 6). Inasmuch as the permit-specified standard for <br />these areas is 2,000 stems per acre, the density extant (1,875 stems per ace) exceeds 90% of the <br />standard. The densities observed ranged from 243 to 6,945 stems per acre. For the most part the <br />main shrub species present is big sagebrush (Seripbidium tridentatumJ. There was one azea where a <br />substantial density of Woods rose (Roca moodrii) has developed since planting in the early 1990's. This <br />azea was heavily planted in 1993 with serviceberry (Amelancbier alnifolia), chokecherry (Padre vitginiana <br />ssp. melanocatpa), bitterbrush (Purslna tridentate), Woods rose, and mouatain saowberry (Sympboncarpur <br />rotundifaliur). The total 1995 density in this area was over 33,000 stems per acre. As of 20041, <br />chokecherry and serviceberry have disappeared and relatively low amounts of bitterbrush and <br />snowberry remain, along with big sagebrush. But Woods rose is the only species that has persisted in <br />lazge numbers. Also notable is the survival of 68 stems per acre of aspen planted is 1994. <br />These results indicate that changes to the hydrologic regime on reclaimed steep slopes affect efforts <br />to re-establish shrubs and trees. Much of the shmb and tree mortality comes from grazing and <br />browsing by wildlife. The direct relationship between herbaceous species production and woody <br />• plant spedes production is obvious over the many years of data collection. As the herbaceous <br />species increase the woody plant species decrease. T'he lower the annual predpitation, the higher the <br />shmb stem count for that yeaz. These data and condusioas are taken from the Seneca Coal Co. <br />annual revegetation monitoring reports available at the mine office or the Division of Minerals and <br />Geology. <br />REACHING THE GOALS <br />1. Monitoring results show the revegetation attempts have been successful with an average <br />production of 22001 lb per acre ovea-dry weight and over all average of ],392 stems per acre <br />of woody plants. The species density averaged 18.7 species per 100 sq. meters. During the <br />past 11 yeazs, over 100,000 shrubs have been planted at Seneca II West (Table 4). <br />2. The future and present stakeholders are satisfied with the overall program. Recent tours with <br />the Colorado Division of Wildlife; landowner Lisa Ricks; and others produced excellent <br />reviews and future, cooperative plans. <br />3. The mined land is left in a condition equal to or better than before mining. Final post mine <br />topography and drainage configuration meet or exceed the expectations of all the <br />stakeholders. <br />1 All quoted data was m~ecMd in 2004. The 2005 data was not available at the t®e of tbis submittal but the trends and <br />. conclusions are the same no matter which year of data is aaalyied. <br />