2012-11-05_REVISION - C1982056 (5)

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shown on Map 24, Surface Facilities. As described under Rule 2.05.3(4)(b), a small exemption area for sedimentation control has been granted for the rockdust tank access /unloading area. Evidence that revegetation goals are attainable is found in previous revegetation efforts in the area by CYCC. Herbage production on its nearby Energy Mine No. 2 bond release area, seeded in May 1974, is indicative of the productivity that can be expected on reclaimed sites within the proposed Foidel Creek Mine permit boundary, since the seed mixture used on the Energy Mine No. 2 reclamation tract contained many of the same herbaceous species proposed in this permit application. Forage production on the bond release site was described by the Soil Conservation Service as 1,500 pounds of air dry forage per acre in unfavorable years, 2,000 pounds during median years and 2,500 pounds in favorable years. After two growing seasons, seeded grasses on the reclaimed tract were producing 244 pounds of air dry forage per acre. The third year after planting (August 1977) was the driest ever recorded in northwestern Colorado and the production of seeded species increased to an average of 705 pounds per acre. In 1978, a median year, production averaged 2,212 pounds per acre. In 1979, a favorable year, forage production climbed to an average of 2,626 pounds of air dry forage per acre. In 1983 and 1984, years of high precipitation, production on the grazing study being conducted on nearby reclaimed land was 4,400 lbs /acre and 5,600 lbs /acre, respectively. Based upon the results obtained from the Energy Mine No. 2 reclamation tract, premine productivity should be reinstated on all revegetated areas within 3 to 4 years after seeding. The ability of the proposed seed mixtures to control erosion is directly related to the vegetative cover produced by the planted species. Data collected on the Energy Mine No. 2 bond release site in 1977 indicated that the total cover averaged 60 percent. Plant cover data compiled in 1979 documented that the total cover on the site averaged 86.9 percent. Comparison of ground cover and production data indicates that for the voluntary reclamation done in 1974, approximately five years were needed before total ground cover values approached the premine status. On the more recent reclamation performed on the CYCC mine, Area 10, forage production the first growing season was equal to that found on the two and one half year old 1974 Energy Mine No. 2 seeding. Cover is expected to reach premimng levels after approximately three years. The plant species proposed for the revegetation seed mixtures are capable of providing the soil stabilization needed to control erosion. From the standpoint of ground cover, the erosion potential of successfully revegetated mined land should not exceed the rate of geological erosion found on adjacent natural areas. Introduced Species In accordance with Rule 4.15.2, Use of Introduced Species, TCC requests approval for the following introduced species within the three perennial seed mixtures. Pastureland Seed Mixture The pastureland mixture consists primarily of introduced plant species, as shown in Table 53, Pastureland Seed Mixture. These species are of the same seasonal variety as were found on the site prior to mining and are the species utilized locally for intensively managed pastureland. If all native species were established on this site, there would be a significant reduction in the productivity and utility of the pastureland; thereby, reducing the potential for meeting the postmme land use of pastureland. The pastureland species to be used by TCC are those recommended by Tucker and Hervey (1957) and Steward (1973). The introduced species are documented in these records as being of superior utility for forage production. These recommended species are compatible with post- mining land uses and are not noxious. MR 97 -154 2.05 -110 9/9/97