2012-06-20_PERMIT FILE - C2010089A (7)

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of final revegetation efforts. In the following discussion, each of the "major plant comminutes" will be addressed separately. With respect to the "minor plant comminutes," they will be reclaimed either to a dryland or irrigated pasture land use, depending on the predominate adjacent vegetation type and land use. Several of the "major plant communities" will be reclaimed using the reference area approach. One plant community will be reclaimed using a historic record approach. Where reference areas are being proposed, they have either been previously approved by the DRMS as being greater than three acres in size, have been determined to have existing vegetation, soils, hydrology, management and geology as the proposed disturbance vegetation types. This discussion applies primarily to satisfying the regulatory requirements of Section 2.04.10 and the associated discussion regarding the discussion of the kinds and condition of the different vegetation types found on this proposed mine site. There is considerable overlap regarding the description of the vegetation resources of the proposed mine site and Land Use requirements of Section 2.04.8 and the specific final revegetation success standards required by Rule 4.15.7. At the time this section was prepared, WFC had not finalized the proposed mine plan and thus the specific limits of disturbance and corresponding impacts to different vegetation types could not be calculated. Therefore, the discussion of revegetation success standards is presented only in a general sense in this section and the specific details are found in the discussion regarding Rule 4.15.7. Reclamation. The disturbance to all areas corresponding to the Reclamation vegetation type (REC) shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map will be reclaimed according to the currently approved land use of dryland pasture. The currently approved Dryland Pasture Reference Area is located on the west side of the Hopkins Field Airport. No changes are proposed beyond what the DRMS has already approved for this vegetation type in the existing NH2 Mine Permit. Since DRMS has already approved the proposed revegetation success standards for this vegetation type, no changes are being proposed for this vegetation type. All areas shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map as corresponding to REC -IMIP, located on the parcel to the west of the Garvey house will be reclaimed as Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture and the revegetation success standards for this parcel as well as all other Intensively Managed Irrigated Pasture parcels which will be disturbed by mining are found in the discussion of that vegetation type which follows. Big Sagebrush. Disturbance to all lands corresponding to the Big Sagebrush vegetation type (SB) shown on Map 2.04.10 -1, Permit Area Vegetation Map will be reclaimed according to the currently approved revegetation success standard for dryland pasture as the DRMS has currently approved for the existing Big Sagebrush areas found within the existing NH2 Mine. The currently approved Dryland Pasture Reference Area is located on the west side of the Hopkins Field Airport. No changes are proposed beyond what the DRMS has already approved for this vegetation type as currently approved in the existing NH2 Mine Permit. Section 2.04.10 Page 30 November 2011