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• TAB 13 <br />POSTNINING LAND USE <br />Introduction <br />Tab 13, Postmining Land Use, directs the reader to those areas comprising the essential <br />components of the reclamation plan, starting with an overview of premining land uses as <br />they relate to vegetation end habitat. Bac kfilling and grading are covered in Tab 12, <br />while soil maintenance and replacement is discussed later in this tab and in Tab 9. Also <br />presented in this tab are the postmining land use plan, revegetetion monitoring, <br />revegetation success standards, surface stabilization and rill and gully control measures, <br />weed and pest control measures, reclamation schedule, reclamation bonding costs, and bond <br />release procedures. <br />Premine Land Use <br />The primary premining land use on [he permit area and adjacent areas has been the grazing <br />of domestic livestock on native rangeland and utilization of essociat ed habitat types by <br />wildlife. In more recent years, oil, gas, and methane (from coal fields) exploration, <br />while not extensive, has become en increasingly important land use. Historically, the <br />highest economic return has been from livestock grazing. However, the types of habitat <br />and wildlife numbers in the area provide hunting and recreation opportunities that <br />contribute significantly io the overall economy. <br />The following discussion summarizes the two primary premining tantl uses in the area end <br />provides a basis for the development of the reclamation plan and postmining land use plan, <br />Livestock Grazing of Native Rangeland. Cattle and sheep grazing on pri vately-owned lands <br />or through State grazing leases has been the primary premine land use on the permit area, <br />State grazing leases have predominated. Historic grazing pressure has been higher than <br />desirable and management underemphasized with a consequent deterioration in range <br />condition. In the past, stocking rates have not been specified on State grazing leases <br />(VOnBrockdorff 1981). <br />Based on Soil Conservation Service (SCS) range site descriptions for the brushy loam range <br />13-1 Revised 01/15/93 <br />