PERMFILE109718 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Horizon 2 area will be considered acceptable if it is not less than 90 percent of the reference area with 90 percent statistical confidence It is requested that the success standards for species diversity, shrub density and seasonal variety be waived for the dryland pasture type. The postmining land use for the New Horizon 2 area is intensive agriculture, which is consistent with the pre-mining land use. This type will occur within the irrigated pasture type. In addition, operators within the New Horizon 2 study area indicated a desire to replace the present areas containing sagebrush with a more productive community oriented towards livestock . The present sagebrush type (formerly sagebrush and pinyon-juniper dominated vegetation; see Peabody Addendum 10-3) is not being reclaimed because it is only a minortype reflecting a vegetative composition that has resulted in a stand dominated by increased and undesirable species. The present stands are not critical or unique habitat for wildlife, nor do they constitute any real wildlife value when one considers the extensive native vegetation in the immediate Nucla area and the habitat resulting from irrigation along with the large trees and shrubs in farmsteads in the area. During grazing rotations within the irrigated pasture types, there is the potential for periodic heavy concentrations of grazing ahimals. The dryland pasture areas are composed of species that can withstand grazing pressure and continue to protect the resource. Seed Mix #8 has been designed to achieve this. The species present will supply forage during green-up periods early in the spring and later in the fall, though some use may be made during the summer. The productive and desirable forage species in the irrigated pasture will be used during the summer and fall months negating the need for seasonal variety in the dryland pasture type. Additionally, the presence of the productive and palatable species in the irrigated pasture will concentrate animals there, reducing potential grazing impacts to the dryland pasture type. As discussed eadier, relatively simple mixes are more desirable for pasture than complex mixes. Revegetation Monitoring -All Areas Areas which have been reclaimed and have entered into the band liability period will be periodically monitored. During the liability period revegetated areas will be monitored at least twice. The first monitoring will be conducted during the second full growing season. The second monitoring will be conducted approximately mid-way through the liability period. A subsequent monitoring will be conducted during years 9 and 10 to assess post-mining land use success and to provide information necessaryforfinalbondrelease. Monitoring will consist of evaluations todocumentthe (Revised 1-15-03) 2.05.4(2)(e)-24