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Various revegetation plan refinements resulted from approval of PR-3 in May 2003. The <br />primary upland seedmix was amended to include mountain big sagebrush, the "shrub only" <br />seedmix (Mix 6) was amended to include a native forb component, and intermediate <br />wheatgrass, an aggressive sod-forming introduced grass was deleted from the stabilization <br />seedmix. The procedures to be employed in the concentrated shrub establishment areas <br />have been modified in several respects to enhance success, including use of elk fencing, use <br />of initial supplemental irrigation, use of combined seedling transplanting and seeding with <br />the native shrub/forb seedmix, and preparation of a very rough seedbed with track-hoe or <br />dozer blade gouges. These modified practices will apply to areas topsoiled and revegetated <br />during or subsequent to 2003. <br />In addition, within PR-3, the operator committed to implement an aspen reestablishment <br />field study that will evaluate the feasibility of aspen reestablishment on reclaimed areas, <br />using sapling transplants obtained from aspen stands on the permit area. The study will <br />include three rates of supplemental irrigation and two soil treatments, as well as a non- <br />irrigated control. The detailed study design is presented in Tab 22, Appendix 22-3. <br />Specific aspen reestablishment approaches to be employed on an operational basis in the <br />future, as well as success standards for aspen will be based on information gained from the <br />study. Certain design and scheduling changes associated with the aspen study were <br />approved by TR-47 in February 2004. Under the revised schedule, planting of the selected <br />aspen saplings was to occur in the fall of 2004. Within TR-47, the operator also committed <br />to limited aspen sapling planting in locations other than the primary field study location. <br />Planting was to be in specified locations, using specific planting approaches. In addition, <br />the revision included a commitment to establish aspen sapling "farms", small fenced areas <br />where mature aspen would be mechanically treated to stimulate suckering of saplings for <br />future reclamation use. The aspen study and other aspen plantings have been conducted to <br />date in conformance with the amended plan and schedule. <br />The applicant has submitted adequate information regarding plant species of threatened or <br />endangered status potentially occurring in the Seneca H-W Mine permit area. During on <br />site inventories conducted in 1983, 1985, 1990 and 1997, no species of special concern <br />were found. The Division of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were <br />contacted during the PR-2, PR-3, PR-4, PR-5, RN-4, and RN-5 reviews, and they did not <br />identify any concerns with respect to potential effects of the operation on threatened or <br />endangered plant species. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.06(2)(n), the Division finds that, based on the available information, <br />the mining and reclamation activities will not affect the continued existence of any <br />threatened or endangered plant species or result in the destruction or adverse modification <br />of their critical habitats. <br />Iu PR-5, the Weed Control plan section of permit Tab 22 text was amended, and a new <br />comprehensive weed management plan applicable to Seneca H-W and other SCC properties <br />Seneca I1-W Findings Document 51 C1982057 <br />Permit Renewal No. 5 December 9, 2010