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average forage production is 845 pounds of air dry forage per acre. When placed into the context <br />• of a landowner, the forage production from the reclaimed sites is 6.85 times more than they are <br />currently getting off their Sagebrush lands and 2.42 times more than they are currently averaging <br />from their Dryland Pasture. Since the CDRMS regulations require that the lands disturbed by <br />mining be reclaimed to their highest potential uses that are consistent with the surface owners <br />plans, WFC feels justified in complying with the land owners wishes and asking that these minor <br />changes in land use be authorized. <br />Dryland Pasture will be the primary postmining vegetation type. Due to the landowners' wishes <br />on the Glasier, Meehan and Garvey Properties, the existing Sagebrush Vegetation type will be <br />reclaimed to an improved Dryland Pasture. The areas currently dominated by Wetland <br />Vegetation these areas will be primarily reclaimed as Wetland Meadow or Irrigated Pasture. <br />Dryland Pasture was chosen as the primary postmining vegetation type due to the landowners <br />wishes to improve the agricultural potential of their lands and in order to encourage "prompt <br />establishment of vegetative cover and recovery of productivity levels compatible with the <br />approved postmining land use" (4.15.1(2)). <br />Irrigated Pasture and Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture will be established on areas <br />identified as corresponding in these two vegetation and land use types in permit application <br />sections 2.04.3 and 2.04.10 baseline land use and vegetation studies. The various plans for <br />backfilling, grading, and topsoil redistribution (Sections 2.05.4(2)(c) and (d)) will provide the <br />basis for the potential productivity of the reclaimed lands. Upon meeting successful revegetation <br />requirements for the irrigated pasture types and release of WFC's bonded liability, <br />these lands <br />may be converted by the landowners to other vegetation or land use types based upon the <br />changing land use patterns and desires of the owners. Thus, revegetation activities will return <br />the affected lands to a similar or higher ensure thatthe reclaimed lands are capable of supporting Pasture and Irrigated Pasture will e g the <br />highest possible uses which they were capable of supporting before mining <br />Wildlife will continue to make an important secondary use of the proposed NHN Mine area <br />during mining and following reclamation activities. A portion of the Wetland vegetation type <br />will reestablish in connection with the proposed wetland mitigation activities required by the 404 <br />Permit issued by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers will this type <br />along the fringes of the <br />in areas adjacent to the existing livestock p onds which wieplac <br />existing drainages associated with Chiles and Meehan Draws as shown on Map 2.05.5 -1, <br />Postmining Land Use Map. Additional details of the proposed wetland mitigation as well as the <br />extent of actual impacts to jurisdicitonal wetlands is being prepared in the 404 permit which will <br />be submitted to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers once this permit application is deemed to be <br />complete by the CDRMS. A copy of the application for 404 permit will be submitted to the <br />Division. <br />Letters from the three legal and equitable owners of lands within the proposed NHN Mine permit <br />area, Mr. George Glasier, Mr. Thomas Meehan and Mr. Stan Garvey, approving these proposed <br />postmining land uses are attached. Inquiries to these owners as well as adjacent landowners and <br />individuals during 2008 and 2009 baseline land use and vegetation studies and discussions with <br />local residents pertaining to WFC's proposed postmining land use, indicated that the proposed <br />postmining land use and establishment of Dryland Pasture are compatible with local wishes. <br />Section 2.05.5 <br />Page 5 April 2011 <br />