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Seneca Coal Company <br />Phase 11 Bond Release Request <br />May2008 <br />Alternative Test D (from the approved Seneca II permit) for species diversity and composirion <br />compares the total native species numbers encountered in sampling of the reclaimed area to the <br />average native species density of the reference areas. If the total native species in the reclaimed <br />area is greater than the average species density of the reference areas, Alternative Test D is <br />passed. <br />For the BRB-2 parcel, there was a total of 40 native species encountered during cover sampling <br />compared to the average 29.6 species/100m2 for the mountain brush reference area and 27.9 <br />species/100m2 for the sagebrush reference area. Parcel BRB-2 passes Alternative Test D. <br />For the BRB-3 parcel, there was a total of 56 native species encountered during cover sampling <br />compared to the average 29.6 species/100m2 for the mountain brush reference area and 27.9 <br />species/100m2 for the sagebrush reference area. Parcel BRB-3 passes Alternative Test D. <br />For the BRB-4 parcel, there were 65 native species encountered during cover sampling compared <br />to the average 29.6 species/100mZ for the mountain brush reference area and 27.9 species/100rn2 <br />for the sagebrush reference area. Parcel BRB-4 passes Alternative Test D. <br />The above evaluation of species diversity and composition using the approved Seneca II Mine <br />mandatory and alternative diversity tests supports the conclusion that species and composition <br />required to meet final diversity are satisfactorily represented in the Phase II sampling data for the <br />BRB-2, BRB-3, and BRB-4 reclaimed parcels. <br />Seasonality of native vegetation communities in the Seneca II Mine region is restricted to cool <br />season species for all practical purposes. The seasonality of reclaimed area vegetation is also cool <br />season. The species composition present in all reclaimed parcels is predominated by species with <br />high forage utility, both in quantity and quality. The native mountain brush vegetation in the <br />region provides important wildlife habitat features including cover and browse. The reclamation, <br />predominated by high quality herbaceous forage, is interspersed into this habitat both enhancing <br />and complimenting the native landscape by providing desirable foraging resources not always <br />available in the native habitats. The dense thickets in the native mountain brush type can restrict <br />foraging access. The forage habitat of the reclamation is very beneficial to native wild ungulate <br />14 <br />