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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 <br />only" seedmix (Mix 6) was amended to include a native forb component, and <br />intermediate wheatgrass, an aggressive sod - forming introduced grass was deleted from <br />the stabilization seedmix. The procedures to be employed in the concentrated shrub <br />establishment areas have been modified in several respects to enhance success, including <br />use of elk fencing, use of initial supplemental irrigation, use of combined seedling <br />transplanting and seeding with the native shrub /forb seedmix, and preparation of a very <br />rough seedbed with track -hoe or dozer blade gouges. These modified practices will apply <br />to areas topsoiled and revegetated 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 <br />the 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 <br />selected aspen saplings was to occur in the fall of 2004. Within TR -47, the operator also <br />committed to limited aspen sapling planting in locations other than the primary field <br />study location. Planting was to be in specified locations, using specific planting <br />approaches. In addition, the revision included a commitment to establish aspen sapling <br />"farms ", small fenced areas where mature aspen would be mechanically treated to <br />stimulate suckering of saplings for future reclamation use. The aspen study and other <br />aspen plantings have been conducted to date in conformance with the amended plan and <br />schedule. <br />The applicant has submitted adequate information regarding plant species of threatened or <br />endangered status potentially occurring in the Seneca II -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 <br />not identify any concerns with respect to potential effects of the operation on threatened <br />or endangered plant species. <br />Pursuant to Rule 2.07.06(2)(n), the Division finds that, based on the available <br />information, the mining and reclamation activities will not affect the continued existence <br />of any threatened or endangered plant species or result in the destruction or adverse <br />modification of their critical habitats. <br />In 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 II -W and other SCC <br />Seneca II -W Findings Document 50 C- 1982 -057 <br />Permit Revision No. 6 January 6, 2012 <br />