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the area has been completed. (4.14. 1) <br />XI. <br />3. Small depressions in the backfill were used to minimize erosion, create or enhance <br />wildlife habitat, conserve soil moisture, and promote revegetation. Seneca Coal <br />Company has included in the postmine grading operation the use of very small <br />swales. (4.14.2(3)). <br />Revegetation <br />Information regarding revegetation practices and success criteria can be found in Tabs <br />10, 12, and 13 of the PAP. <br />Soil stabilization practices at the mine have included ripping on contour where topsoil <br />slippage may occur, and use of a cover crop or mulch in conjunction with seed <br />application. SCC has discontinued the use of a cover crop or mulch in conjunction <br />with seed application. <br />Seneca Coal Company has proposed two site-adapted perennial seed mixtures, one <br />temporary seed mix, one cover crop, one concentrated shrub seeding mix and one <br />shrub and tree planting mix which can be located on pages 13-12 to 13-23 of Volume <br />12, Tab 13. A technical revision approved in 1993 resulted in significant modification <br />to the seed mix, and as a result Seneca no longer anticipates extensive use of <br />supplemental species on an annual basis. Stipulation 13, which addressed supplemental <br />seed mix components, is no longer necessary. If and when species substitutions are <br />made in the future, they will be handled as minor revisions, with the complete seed mix <br />used in each reclaimed area to be listed in the Annual Reclamation Report. A minor <br />revision (MR-50) approved in 1999 resulted in modifications to the seed mix and <br />revegetation monitoring program. <br />In addition, several introduced species have been proposed in the seed mixes. The <br />proposed introduced species are compatible with the plant and animal species of the <br />region and may be necessary for the approved post-mining land use. <br />To evaluate reclamation success, Seneca Coal Company has committed to a qualitative <br />and quantitative monitoring program outlined in Appendix 13-13 of the permit <br />application. Qualitative evaluations were carried out annually during the growing <br />season and quantitative measurements were carried out on years 2, 4 and 7 following <br />initial seeding. Since 2005, sampling of vegetation has been conducted as part of final <br />bond release testing; this will continue until Seneca Coal Company demonstrates <br />success for final bond release. The data and results from this monitoring program are <br />submitted to the Division by March 30 of the year following sampling with the filing of <br />the Annual Reclamation Report. <br />No proposed or listed threatened or endangered plant species have been identified on or <br />adjacent to the Seneca H Mine site. Therefore, the Division finds that the mining <br />25