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Peabody Sage Creek Mine <br />SL-1 Phase// Bond Release Request <br />March 2011 <br />. release area. Therefore the results of the entire sampling effort are used. The results of this <br />sampling indicate an average replacement depth of 15.6 inches over the entire area including the <br />area requested for this Phase II bond release. Based on the results of the topsoil depth sampling, <br />the area meets or exceeds the estimated replacement depths over the entire re-topsoiled area. <br />Attachment D, Topsoil Depth Sampling Summary, presents a tabulation and statistics of the <br />sampling effort. <br />The documentation for this sampling effort is presented in the Seneca II permit document in Tab <br />9, Attachment 9-4, and in Annual Reclamation Reports submitted since 1986. <br />• Revegetation (Cover) Success <br />Vegetation establishment will be considered acceptable if the cover of the revebetated area is at least 90 percent of <br />the cover from the reference area or other standard with 90 percent statistical confidence (Rule 4.15.8). <br />Phase II bond release is being requested for BRB-4 reclaimed blocks at PSCM. These lands <br />• have established vegetation that is at least two years old and are able to support the approved <br />post-mining land use. Phase II revegetation success evaluations were based on the applicable <br />success standard requirements spelled out in Exhibit 2.05.4-E1 of the PSCM permit, Rules <br />3.03.1(2)(b) and 4.15.8 and the Division's Guideline Regarding Selected Coal Mine Bond <br />Release Issues (April 1995). Establishment of vegetation is demonstrated by meeting the <br />appropriate cover success standard based on statistically adequate sampling. Species <br />composition and representation of the species to meet final diversity requirements is <br />addressed by the vegetation cover data and evaluations using species diversity assessments <br />included in Exhibit 2.05.4-E1 of the PSCM permit. <br />In 2006, the Seneca II Mine was divided into five (5) bond release blocks (BRB 1, 2, 3, 4 and <br />5) to aid in vegetation data collection and analysis for Phase II and Phase III bond release. In <br />2010 with approval of the PSCM permit, much of the reclaimed lands contained in the Seneca <br />II Mine BRB areas were transferred to PSCM, leaving only a small portion of lands within the <br />Seneca II Mine permit (see PR-02 for the Seneca II Mine approved on January 19, 2011). <br />This Phase II bond release application includes BRB-4 areas which were topsoiled and <br />5