2010-05-25_REVISION - C1981008 (28)

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on this evaluation, eeRain lands on the Morgan property have been converted to irrigated cropland with all fields considered prime farmland soils Land use and baseline vegetation studies (Sections 2.04.3 and 2.04.10) conducted during 1987 and 1999, as well as results from interviews with local operators in the area, show that the pre - mine land use is agriculture based in part on irrigation. Many of the areas designated as irrigated pasture in the pre -mine vegetation study were abandoned or only partially irrigated. Vegetation types such as the swale /drainage type are present as a result of irrigation in the area and are used, where possible, in a similar fashion to irrigated pasture oi - igated- cropaid. Baseline studies also showed that P astureland Irrigated Hay and Pastureland Irrigated Grass are very similar in composition in many cases and may be used interchangeably depending on the operator's needs. After several years of production following renovation, the hay fields become dominated by grasses and are slowly invaded by species such as Kentucky bluegrass (Poe pratensis) and buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata). The + Pastureland Irrigated pasMreHay fields are used as pasture during various periods in the year based on operator needs. In most cases management is not at a high level. Other than farmsteads, facilities, and a small abandoned orchard, the sagebrush types makes up the balance of the disturbance area. This type reflects disturbance of the original sagebrush type and pinyon - juniper vegetation and the intensity of use from associated agricultural activities. These sagebrush areas are not irrigated and are located on mesa tops where it is impractical to get irrigation water via ditches and on steep mesa sides. The postmining land use will be similar to the pre- mining land use - primarily agriculture using irrigation and dryland pasture. These two pasture types will be the highest percentage of any postmining vegetation type. Certain lands, particularly many of those tracts to the north of BB Road and west of 2700 Road, were originally classified to be restored as i Reclaimed I rrigated postnro Pastureland , but this was not valid since the water was simply not available to provide proper irrigation on the total area of these lands. For this reason, a portion of these lands have been re- classified as dryland pasture for the-Permit Revision 06 of 3089 -2010 The five parcels that have been re- evaluated for the post- mining land use are the 4 separately owned tracts west of 2700 Road and one tract owned by WFC in the extreme southeast corner of the permit area. The four tracts west of 2700 Road are owned by Morgan, Lloyd, Benson and PR -06 May 2010 2.05.4(2)(e) .2