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avoidance mitigation planned for the woody plants in the mined land. (See Exhibit 22 -1A for <br />locations of these avoidance mitigation areas, and type of undisturbed plant communities.) In <br />addition to the undisturbed islands and border areas, SCC implemented the findings of research <br />in selected, optimum micro - climate, shrub and tree establishment areas and an overall general <br />revegetation plan which results in islands of established woody plants throughout the reclaimed <br />plant community. <br />The woody plant densities proposed for the reclaimed mining area are based on anticipated <br />levels of successful tree and shrub establishment resulting from application of current <br />reclamation technologies. Planting rates have been specified that take into account mortality <br />levels commonly experienced. Further consideration has been given to environmental, <br />ecological, and successional factors acting upon the reclaimed areas containing shrubs or trees. <br />The extensive herbaceous - dominated vegetation cover of reclaimed communities restricts <br />woody plant establishment and development through intense plant competition. This is further <br />complicated by the inherently slow growth and development of woody plants and the <br />significant change in site characteristics within the reclaimed mining areas. Grazing and <br />browsing by livestock and wildlife also contribute to the mortality or dwarfing of the <br />reappearing woody plants. While reinvasion and natural regeneration of shrubs will greatly aid <br />in re- establishing shrubs on the reclaimed landscape, these factors are a significant barrier toward <br />achieving a plant community which closely approaches pre -mine densities. <br />The reclamation plan includes locations of concentrated planting areas. These initial planned sites <br />were approximate in location and size. The final purpose of these shrub establishment areas is to <br />create a mosaic of shrub islands throughout the reclaimed landscape. As the mining and reclamation <br />progressed, sites for shrub plantings were selected based on the best micro- climate for the species and <br />not necessarily by the location on the initial plan map. Therefore, the final locations of these <br />concentrated areas generally follow the initial plan in size but not necessarily location. Beyond these <br />adjustments to the original plan, volunteer development of shrubs via natural dispersal of propagules <br />or germination of seed placed in reclamation will result in islands of woody plant concentration in <br />areas not shown in original plans. Experience at the nearby and older Seneca II Mine has shown that <br />the bulk of eventual high levels of shrub development (especially of sagebrush and snowberry) <br />originated from natural or planted seed in locations not completely predictable. <br />TR -48 46 06/10 <br />