2012-01-05_REVISION - C1980005 (8)

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XI. Revegetation Information regarding revegetation practices and success criteria can be found in Tabs 10, 12, 13, and 14 of the PAP. Soil stabilization practices at the mine have included ripping on contour where topsoil slippage may occur, and use of a cover crop or mulch in conjunction with seed application. SCC has discontinued the use of a cover crop or mulch in conjunction with seed application. Seneca Coal Company has proposed two site - adapted perennial seed mixtures, one temporary seed mix, one cover crop, one concentrated shrub seeding mix and one shrub and tree planting mix which can be located on pages 13 -12 to 13 -23 of Volume 12, Tab 13. A technical revision approved in 1993 resulted in significant modification to the seed mix, and as a result Seneca no longer anticipates extensive use of supplemental species on an annual basis. Stipulation 13, which addressed supplemental seed mix components, is no longer necessary. If and when species substitutions are made in the future, they will be handled as minor revisions, with the complete seed mix used in each reclaimed area to be listed in the Annual Reclamation Report. A minor revision (MR -50) approved in 1999 resulted in modifications to the seed mix and revegetation monitoring program. In addition, several introduced species have been proposed in the seed mixes. The proposed introduced species are compatible with the plant and animal species of the region and may be necessary for the approved post- mining land use. To evaluate reclamation success, Seneca Coal Company has committed to a qualitative and quantitative monitoring program outlined in Appendix 13 -13 of the permit application. Qualitative evaluations were carried out annually during the growing season and quantitative measurements were carried out on years 2, 4 and 7 following initial seeding. Since 2005, sampling of vegetation has been conducted as part of final bond release testing; this will continue until Seneca Coal Company demonstrates success for final bond release. The data and results from this monitoring program are submitted to the Division by March 30 of the year following sampling with the filing of the Annual Reclamation Report. No proposed or listed threatened or endangered plant species have been identified on or adjacent to the Seneca II Mine site. Therefore, the Division finds that the mining activities will not affect the continued existence of threatened or endangered plant species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitats. Revegetation success criteria, monitoring plans and methods of comparison for testing revegetation success are addressed in Volume 12, Tab 13, Appendix 13 -13 and Volume 14, Section 2.05.4 -2. Cover and production success for the major mine area vegetation communities will be based on weighted average reference area comparisons as 25