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INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM <br />TO: JASON MUSICK <br />FROM: JANET BINNS <br />SUBJECT: PEABODY SAGE CREEK MINE C2009-087, TR5 <br />DATE: 8/1/2012 <br />CC: <br />I have reviewed Peabody Sage Creek Mining, LLC’s (PSCM) application for a reduction <br />in area of the approved Sagebrush Reference Area. PSCM related operator of the Seneca <br />II Mine, Seneca Coal Company (SCC) has monitored the current 8 acre Sagebrush <br />reference area since 1979. The Sagebrush Reference Area is approved for reclamation <br />success comparison for the Peabody Sage Creek Mine. Future plans for the Peabody <br />Sage Creek Mine anticipate that a portion of the Sagebrush Reference Area will be <br />disturbed by conveyor and associated road. <br />PSCM proposes to reduce the size of the Sagebrush Reference Area to 4 acres. The <br />reduced reference area will still meet the requirements of 4.15.7(c). The unaffected <br />portion of the Sagebrush Reference Area will be the eastern half. SCC has a long record <br />of monitoring the reference area. The Division evaluated the results of Annual <br />Vegetation reports for the Seneca II Mine for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. <br />Vegetative Cover values were compared for the 8 acre reference area to data associated <br />with proposed reference area. In all years evaluated, with the exception of 2007, the <br />cover values of the proposed reference area were slightly higher than for the historic 8 <br />acre reference area. A T-test calculations graph provided by PSCM found that there was <br />no statistically significant difference between the cover values of the proposed reference <br />area and the existing reference area. <br />The Division evaluated the results of productivity sample values for the Peabody Sage <br />Creek Mine for 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011. Production data was not collected in 2009 <br />and 2010. Vegetative Cover values were compared for the 8 acre reference area to data <br />associated with proposed reference area. A T-test calculations graph provided by PSCM <br />found that there was no statistically significant difference between the herbaceous <br />productivity values of the proposed reference area and the existing reference area. 2006 <br />data resulted in a noticeably lower productivity value for the reduced reference area than <br />for the 8 acre reference area. This difference was not noticeable is subsequent sampling <br />events (2007, 2008 and 2012). <br />The Division recommends approval of the proposed reduction in Sagebrush Reference <br />Area size. ..\..\Peabody Sage Creek Mine\TR5\REfernece area comparison.xlsx <br /> <br />