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i <br />. TAB 20 <br />REVEGETATION PLAN <br />Postmininq Land Use <br />The primary proposed postmining land use is grazing land for livestock. Wildlife habitat is <br />an additional use. Exhibit 20 -1, Post- Mining Land Use, is a map that shows the proposed <br />postmining land use. This proposed use is consistent with current land use in the area and <br />also reflects the land use patterns prior to construction of the loadout facility and rail <br />loop /spur. All reseeded cropland, improved pasture north of walker Ditch, and native range <br />areas in and adjacent to the permit area have historically been fenced and managed for <br />livestock grazing. The vegetation plan has been developed to restore grazing potential on <br />all reclaimed lands. Appendix 20 -1, Postmininq Land Use end Permanent Features, contains <br />comments from the landowners of record on the proposed postmine land use. <br />Wildlife use of the area has not been excluded in the past, however, management of wildlife <br />species has been centered on managing wildlife populations through harvest (hunting) . <br />Wildlife use will continue to be unrestricted following reclamation of the facilities. With <br />the exception of where the rail loop crosses Dry Creek, this important habitat area will not <br />be disturbed. The reclaimed communities will contain a greater composition of herbaceous <br />species than native undisturbed plant communities, however, the interspersion of these <br />reclaimed areas with native plant communities will increase edge and diversify and enhance <br />the habitat. Many wildlife species present in the lower elevations in the spring will <br />benefit from an early greening and nutritious herbaceous vegetation. In particular, big <br />game in gestation /lactation cycles will be benefited. The inclusion of tall statured <br />species such as basin wildrye and fourwing saltbush will provide hiding and nesting cover <br />for small mammals and various avian species. <br />Revegetation <br />Seedbed Preparation. Following redistribution of topsoil, seedbed preparation will be <br />initiated. Redistributed topsoil will be monitored for excessive compaction. Any areas <br />deemed to be excessively compacted will be deep ripped. Final seedbed preparation for all <br />ripped and non - ripped topsoil will consist of disking. Additional disking operations may be <br />used to control annual weedy vegetation prior to permanent seeding operations. All <br />operations will be maintained on the contour where practicable. <br />TR -07 <br />1 <br />Revised 03/06 <br />