Laserfiche WebLink
EXHIBIT 5 <br />The proposed Greasewood Reference Area location is shown on Map 3. Permit Area <br />Vegetation map and as required is approximately three acres in size, and has been determined <br />to have existing vegetation, soils, hydrology, management and geology as the proposed <br />Greasewood Predisturbance vegetation type. <br />This discussion applies primarily to satisfying the regulatory requirements of Section 2.04. 10 <br />and the associated discussion regarding the discussion of the kinds and condition of the <br />different vegetation types found on this proposed mine site. There is considerable overlap <br />regarding the description of the vegetation resources of the proposed mine site and Land Use <br />requirements of Section 2.04.8 and the specific final revegetation success standards required by <br />Rule 4.15.7. At the time this section was prepared, CAM- Colorado had not finalized the <br />proposed unit train loadout design and thus the specific limits of disturbance and corresponding <br />impacts to different vegetation types could not be calculated. However, the overall footprint of <br />the disturbance is generally known and thus it is possible to present a discussion of the <br />revegetation success standards applicable to this site as required by Rule 4.15.7. <br />Greasewood Vegetation Type. The disturbance to all areas corresponding to the Greasewood <br />vegetation type shown on Map 3, Loadout Area - Permit Area Vegetation Map will be <br />reclaimed using the proposed Greasewood as a potential revegetation success standard. The <br />proposed Greasewood Reference Area is located on the west side of Reed Wash, inside the <br />proposed railroad loop in an area that will not be disturbed. <br />The reference area approach will be used to document final revegetation success of lands <br />corresponding to disturbed Greasewood vegetation areas. Upon comparing the required plant <br />parameters of plant cover and production between the proposed Greasewood Predisturbance <br />vegetation type and the proposed Greasewood Reference Area, and using the "Nest" pre - <br />mining comparison found on page 16 of the Division's Guidelines for Compliance with Land <br />Use and Vegetation Requirements for Coal Mining, the calculated tc value for plant cover was <br />determined to equal 0.0639 and the calculated tc value for forage production was determined to <br />equal 0.5741892. The corresponding tabular ttvalue for plant cover was determined to be equal <br />to 1.684 and 1.664 for production. Since the calculated t. values are less than the <br />corresponding tabular tt values, it can be concluded that the Greasewood Predisturbance area is <br />statistically similar to the Greasewood Reference Area with respect to the required parameters <br />of plant cover and forage production. <br />Thus at the time of final bond release the proposed Greasewood Reference Area will be the <br />ultimate revegetation success standard for all corresponding areas that will be disturbed which <br />correspond to the Greasewood Predisturbance vegetation type. Since nearly all areas <br />corresponding to the Industrial Vegetation type are almost totally devoid of vegetation and <br />consist of barren refinery sludge or evaporation ponds, or constructed berms or dikes, roads and <br />excavated barrow areas, there will be no corresponding revegetation success standard for this <br />vegetation type and these areas will be reclaimed as required by Rule 4.15.10. <br />18 <br />