1992-07-22_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981017

Home Browse Search

-46- found on the west facing slopes of Mancos shale ridges with shallow soils, which will differ greatly from the final configuration of the coal refuse pile. The applicant has proposed to establish a reference area as the success standard for herbaceous production and cover, but no results have been submitted. Also, the applicant has not submitted a proposed standard for species diversity and woody plant density. Therefore, the following stipulations are necessary: Stipulation No. 4 WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF PERMIT APPROVAL, THE PERMITTEE MUST SUBMIT TO THE DIVISION FOR APPROVAL, A PROPOSED REVEGETATION SUCCESS STANDARD FOR SPECIES DIVERSITY AND WOODY PLANT DENSITY FOR THE NEW COAL PROCESSING WASTE EMBANKMENT AREA. APPROVAL OF THIS REVISION MUST BE OBTAINED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS OF PERMIT APPROVAL Stipulation No. 5 WITHIN ONE MONTH OF PERMIT ISSUANCE THE PERMITTEE MUST SUBMIT TO THE DIVISION FOR APPROVAL, THE LOCATION OF A REFERENCE AREA FOR THE NEW COAL PROCESSING WASTE EMBANKMENT PLUS SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO PROVE STATISTICALLY THAT THE AREA TO BE DISTURBED AND THE REFERENCE AREA ARE EQUAL IN COVER AND PRODUCTION. IF THE PERMITTEE IS UNABLE TO OBTAIN DIVISION APPROVAL OF A REFERENCE AREA WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF PERMIT ISSUANCE, THE PERMITTEE MUST COMMIT TO A HISTORIC RECORDS REVEGETATION SUCCESS STANDARD. As previously discussed in Section X of this findings document the applicant proposes to replace 18-24 inches and 24-30 inches of topsoil on the west and south facing slopes, respectively, of the coal refuse pile. The Division believes, based on a study of the existing coal refuse pile, that revegetation success standards can be met on these more xeric sites with the greater topsoil depths. However, the applicant has not committed to monitoring the success of revegetation of the coal refuse pile. Therefore, the following stipulation is necessary: Stipulation No. 6 THE PERMITTEE MUST CONDUCT A STATISTICALLY VALID REVEGETATION MONITORING PROGRAM EVERY OTHER YEAR FOLLOWING RECLAMATION OF THE FIRST SECTION OF THE NEW COAL PROCESSING WASTE EMBANKMENT. EACH ADDITIONAL AREA REVEGETATED MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE MONITORING PROGRAM DURING THE THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT GROWING SEASONS. THE SOUTH AND WEST ASPECTS MUST EACH BE MONITORED SEPARATELY FROM THE NORTH AND EAST ASPECTS PLUS THE FLAT AREAS. MONITORING MUST CONTINUE OR ALL AREAS REVEGETATED UNTIL EITHER BOND IS RELEASED OR THE DIVISION APPROVES DISCONTINUATION OF MONITORING IN WRITING. IF REVEGETATION MONITORING SHOWS THAT REVEGETATION SUCCESS STANDARDS ARE NOT BEING MET, AND ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE MET IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, THE PERMITTEE MUST MAKE WHATEVER CHANGES IN THE RECLAMATION PLAN THE DIVISION DEEMS APPROPRIATE AND IMPLEMENT THESE CHANGES ON THE AREAS WHERE REVEGETATION SUCCESS STANDARDS ARE NOT BEING MET.