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Use of Reference Areas <br />Baseline vegetation studies conducted in 1979 and 1980 identified two primary vegetation types: <br />upland sagebrush and mixed brush /aspen. The aspen type was considered a subtype of the mixed <br />brush and contained similar understory vegetation. See Tab 10, Vegetation Baseline Report, for a <br />more detailed discussion and Exhibit 10 -1 for vegetation mapping and reference area locations. <br />Reference areas reflecting the above two vegetation types were established during baseline studies. <br />The sagebrush reference area (referred to as upland sagebrush in earlier studies) covers approximately <br />4 acres in the far southern portion of the permit area. The mountain brush reference area (referred to <br />as mixed brush /aspen in earlier studies) is located on 4.7 acres in an area west of the permit area. <br />Aspen is represented in the mountain brush community. Both reference areas have been protected <br />from mining - related disturbance and have been properly managed according to the postmining land <br />use. The seed mixes have been developed to return as many of the original native species as possible. <br />Nearly all of these species plus the additional non - native species are cool season species. For these <br />reasons, seasonal variety will not be evaluated for reclamation success. Although the species in the <br />reclaimed areas are classified as cool season species, some of these begin their growth early in the <br />season while others begin growth later in the season. Additionally, many will regrow in the fall. <br />These characteristics enhance forage availability during much of the grazing season. <br />The Seneca II Mine and Peabody Sage Creek Mine (PSCM) sagebrush reference area was established <br />approximately 31 years ago. It has been monitored continuously as a part of the historical <br />revegetation monitoring program at the Seneca II Mine, and more recently for revegetation success <br />demonstrations associated with bond release applications at the Seneca II Mine and PSCM. The <br />sagebrush reference are provides cover and production data used in combination with data from the <br />mountain brush reference area in determining a weighted average success standard. <br />As a result of the infrastructure development for the PSCM, an overland conveyor is proposed to <br />effectively transport coal from PSCM to the processing and loadout operations at the Twentymile <br />Coal Company Facility. The most feasible route for the conveyor and ancillary roads will traverse the <br />western portion of the sagebrush reference area. The current areal extent of the sagebrush reference <br />area is approximately 8 acres. The eastern portion of the existing reference area after establishment <br />of the conveyor corridor is approximately 4 acres, and this will remain as the minimal areal extent of <br />the sagebrush reference area. Any remaining undisturbed portion of the original reference area in <br />addition to this area may be used to facilitate sampling distribution and effort. Likewise, until the <br />TR -52 13 -27 06/12 <br />