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Seneca Coal Company <br />Phase 11 Bond Release Request <br />May 2008 <br />through formal revegetation monitoring program or as qualitative observations by <br />SCC reclamation personnel. If noxious weed infestations occur at levels that may <br />interfere with successful reclamation, or are detrimental to stand quality, weed <br />control is implemented. Application of herbicides has been carried out by two <br />primary agents, outside services or Reclamation Department personnel of the <br />Seneca II Mine <br />Interseeding of Previously Seeded Areas. Interseeding is performed when necessary to <br />ensure adequate vegetative cover is maintained to meet the revegetation criteria set forth <br />in the approved PAP. Monitoring at the Seneca II Mine shows that adequate perennial <br />vegetation cover is well established by the second or third growing season, indicating that <br />the perennial species were present prior to that point though not obvious. If reclaimed <br />areas have a low vegetative cover, including annuals, after the first growing season, the <br />area are evaluated for perennial species density. When it is determined that the density of <br />perennial species (excluding noxious or problem weeds) is less than one per square foot <br />in a seeded area, then the area is interseeded using the appropriate permanent seed mix. <br />Grazing. Livestock grazing encourages re-establishment of native diversity and woody plant <br />density. The grazing season at Seneca II nuts from mid July to mid September. <br />Livestock grazing was initially introduced in 19$7 in the 356 acre Wadge Pasture. By <br />1996, the entire area was opened for grazing and approximately 254 head of long <br />yearlings were pastured. In 2007, the grazing number had increased to 405 head of long <br />yearlings on 1793.5 acres. 'T'his 2007 grazing program resulted in approximately 8% <br />utilization of the total Seneca II reclaimed land production. Results of grazing utilization <br />are presented. In the Annual Reclamation Reports for each year since 1988. <br />4 <br />