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Revegetation success criteria, monitoring plans and methods of comparison for testing <br />revegetation success are addressed in Tab 22. Cover and production success for the major <br />mine area vegetation communities will be based on weighted average reference area <br />comparisons as described on page 40 of Tab 22. The cover standard for mine area <br />reclamation and south extension area reclamation will be based on comparison of "all-hit" <br />reference area herbaceous cover, to "all-hit" reclaimed area total vegetation cover. <br />Justification and specific details of the approach are provided on pages 40 through 43 of <br />permit Tab 22. The applicable approaches were modified and clarified in TR-50, approved <br />December 2005. <br />Cover and production success for upland and lowland rangeland reclamation areas in the <br />tie-across haul road corridor will be based on direct comparison with the low sagebrush and <br />meadow reference areas, respectively. Grain production from reclaimed wheat cropland in <br />the tie-across haul road corridor will be compared to county average dryland wheat yield. <br />Species diversity standards for the mine area, south extension area and tie-across haul road <br />rangeland reclamation were substantively revised and clarified in TR-50. The basis and <br />specifics of the diversity evaluation approach are described on pages 44 through 47 of <br />permit Tab 22. Success demonstration will require that reclaimed areas meet one <br />mandatory test (Test A - No single species > 60% relative cover), and at least two of three <br />alternative tests based on species density (Test B - Total species density reference area <br />comparison; Test C - Species abundance/life form reference area similarity index <br />comparison; and Test D - Cumulative number of native species in reclaimed area density <br />plots vs. average number of native species in reference area density plots). <br />The woody plant density standard was approved in TR-26, in response to Stipulation No. 23 <br />of the permit. The overall woody plant density for the reclaimed area was initially set at <br />450 stems/acre. In all concentrated planted areas, as shown on Exhibits 22-1 and 22-1A, <br />the woody plant density standard was set at 2,000 stems/acre. In the mesic drainage areas <br />along Dry Creek and at the permanent pond sites, at least 150 of the 2,000 stems will be tree <br />species. <br />Woody plant density standards were amended in PR-3 and TR-50. The amended standards <br />reflect increased focus on establishment of shrubs in concentrated planting areas, and <br />uncertainties regarding aspen reestablishment. The revised overall woody plant density <br />standard for the mine is 200 stems per acre, with a standard of 2000 stems per acre within <br />concentrated planting areas (not including concentrated aspen planting sites). In <br />concentrated aspen planting sites, the density standard will be based on future test plot <br />results and planting strategies based on those results. In mesic drainage-wetter phase sites <br />along Dry Creek, and at permanent pond planting sites, the 2000 stem per acre stem density <br />standard will include at least 150 stems per acre as tree species. General location of <br />planting areas is shown on Exhibit 22-1 (former Exhibits 22-1 and 22-1A were combined in <br />PR-5). <br />Seneca II-W Findings Document 50 C1982057 <br />Permit Renewal No. 5 December 9, 2010