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. The success standards for species diversity, shrub density and seasonal variety is waived for the <br />dryland pasture type. The postmining land use for the New Horizon 2 area is intensive agriculture, <br />which is consistent with the pre-mining land use. This type will occur within the irrigated pasture <br />type. In addition, operators within the New Horizon 2 study area indicated a desire to replace the <br />present areas containing sagebrush with a more productive community oriented towards livestock <br />. The present sagebrush type (formerly sagebrush and pinyon-juniper dominated vegetation; see <br />Peabody Addendum 10-3) is not being reclaimed because it is only a minor type reflecting a <br />vegetative composition that has resulted in a stand dominated by increased and undesirable <br />species. The present stands are not critical or unique habitat for wildlife, nor do they constitute any <br />real wildlife value when one considers the extensive native vegetation in the immediate Nucla area <br />and the habitat resulting from irrigation along with the large trees and shrubs in farmsteads in the <br />area. During grazing rotations within the irrigated pasture types, there is the potential for periodic <br />heavy concentrations of grazing animals. The dryland pasture areas are composed of species that <br />can withstand grazing pressure and continue to protect the resource. Seed Mix #8 has been <br />designed to achieve this. The species present will supply forage during green-up periods early in <br />the spring and later in the fall, though some use may be made during the summer. The productive <br />and desirable forage species in the irrigated pasture will be used during the summer and fall <br />months negating the need for seasonal variety in the dryland pasture type. Additionally, the <br />presence of the productive and palatable species in the irrigated pasture will concentrate animals <br />there, reducing potential grazing impacts to the dryland pasture type. As discussed earlier, <br />relatively simple mixes are more desirable for pasture than complex mixes. <br />Revegetation Monitoring -All Areas <br />Areas which have been reclaimed and have entered into the bond liability period will be periodically <br />monitored. During the liability period revegetated areas will be monitored at least twice. The first <br />monitoring will be conducted during the second full growing season. The second monitoring will <br />be conducted approximately mid-way through the liability period. A subsequent monitoring will be <br />conducted during years 9 and 10 to assess post-mining land use success and to provide <br />information necessaryforfinalbondrelease. Monitoring will consist of evaluations to document the <br />various cover components and productivity. Productivity will be measured from the reclaimed area <br />sampled during mid-summer of the growing season to estimate the total annual production <br />achieved. The methods employed for monitoring may be different from baseline sampling or that <br />• (Revised z/oo) Attachment 2.05.4(2)(e)- 26 <br />