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• Use of Reference Areas <br />Baseline vegetation studies conducted in 1979 and 1980 identified two primary vegetation types: <br />upland sagebrush and mixed brush/aspen. The aspen type was considered a subtype of the mixed <br />brush and contained similar understory vegetation. See Tab 10, Vegetation Baseline Report, for a <br />more detailed discussion and Exhibit 10-1 for vegetation mapping and reference area locations. <br />Reference areas reflecting the above two vegetation types were established during baseline studies. <br />The sagebrush reference area (referred to as upland sagebrush in earlier studies) covers approximately <br />4.8 acres in the far southern portion of the permit area. The mountain brush reference area (referred <br />to as mixed brush/aspen in earlier studies) is located on 4.7 acres in an area west of the permit area. <br />Aspen is represented in the mountain brush community. Both reference areas have been protected <br />from mining-related disturbance and have been properly managed according to the postmining land <br />use. The seed mixes have been developed to return as many of the original native species as possible. <br />Nearly all of these species plus the additional non-native species are cool season species. For these <br />reasons, seasonal variety will not be evaluated for reclamation success. Although the species in the <br />• reclaimed areas are classified as cool season species, some of these begin their growth early in the <br />season while others begin growth later in the season. Additionally, many will regrow in the fall. <br />These characteristics enhance forage availability during much of the grazing season. <br />Reference Area. The reference areas were monitored during the period of extended liability to <br />more accurately gauge average cover and production for the various community types and <br />evaluate annual climatic affects on the vegetation. Monitoring will no longer be carried out as <br />sampling efforts will be shifted to bond release activities in order to provide a basis for <br />evaluating and testing for success of revegetation efforts. Sampling results for reference area <br />bond release sampling will be included with Phase II and Phase III applications. <br />Reclamation Schedule <br />Introduction. Seneca II Mine has been undergoing final reclamation for a number of years and is <br />currently undergoing various phases of bond release. TR-37 (04/05) updated the status of the lands <br />prior to the submittal of the initial Phase I bond release application. The following paragraphs <br />present a discussion of the plans and methods used to bring the disturbed mine area to current <br />• conditions. <br />TR-50 13-27 08/09