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the basis for the potential productivity of the reclaimed lands. Upon meeting successful <br />revegetation requirements for the irrigated pasture type and release of WFC's liability, these lands <br />may be converted to irrigated hayland by the postmine land user or owner. A large portion in the <br />eastern portion of the permit area that is currently in a poor productive state and a portion in the <br />northwestern part of the amendment area will be reclaimed as irrigated pasture. Thus, revegetation <br />activities will return the affected lands to a similar (if currently irrigated and managed) or higher and <br />better use. Successful revegetation of irrigated pasture will show that the reclaimed lands are <br />capable of supporting the uses which they were capable of supporting before mining. <br />Wildlife will continue to make incidental use of the area following reclamation activities. A portion <br />of the swale/drainage type will reestablish naturally adjacent to sediment ponds, continuing to <br />provide habitat to wildlife. <br />Letters were sent to the legal and equitable owners within the permit area, detailing the <br />revegetation plan and proposed postmining land use. Inquiries during 1987 and 1999 baseline <br />studies and discussions with local residents pertaining to Peabody's and WFC's proposed <br />postmining land use, indicated that the proposed postmining land use and establishment of irrigated <br />pasture was compatible with local wishes. o?f <br />Postmining Vegetation Types cbr <br />The postmine vegetation types will consist of the irrigated pasture type, irrigated alfalfa hayland, <br />dryland pasture type, and any portions of the Swale/drainage type that remain undisturbed or have <br />reestablished naturally during the liability period. The following discussion on revegetation methods <br />has been split into sections for each major type because of the difference in methods required to <br />establish the irrigated types and dryland pasture type. <br />[ty?tAi? <br />/ 1SRevegetation Methods -IrriA QS <br />gated Pasture and Irri9ated HaYland The majority of the revegetated areas will be returned to a postmining land use of irrigated pasture <br />including lands within the permit area which have not been disturbed, but which have had irrigation <br />water shut-off in order to better control and manage surface and ground water within the mine area <br />during operations. These latter lands occur in the south and north portion of the proposed permit <br />expansion area. <br />(Revised 1-15-03) 2.05.4(2)(e) - 2