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• only two growing seasons on direct hauled topsoil azeas. Pfannenstiel and Wendt (1984) found <br />similaz regeneration in studies at Peabody's Seneca II Mine during the summer of 1982, where <br />an average density of 705 shrubs pet acre was documented in direct hauled areas. Much of the <br />sampled area had only been topsoiled in the last several years. Observations at the Energy <br />Mine (Crofts and Parkin, 1979) also indicate extensive volunteering of shrubs. Additional <br />monitoring at the Seneca Mine shows continuing regeneration in new and old areas. Numerous <br />native forbs and grasses have also volunteered on all areas studied (see 1987, 1988, 1989 Seneca <br />II Revegetation Monitoring Reports). Unfortunately, native tall shrub speues show initial good <br />regeneration in live topsoil areas, but survival drops off when competing herbaceous species <br />become established. The spread of these established tall shrubs or the establishment of new <br />individuals has been limited in reclaimed azeas at the Seneca II Mine because of herbaceous <br />competition and the inherently slow development of these native waody species within early <br />successional time frames coincident with the liability period. The required presence of these <br />woody species in redaimed areas may be more practical than a required density. The presence <br />of these species indicates that over time, woody communities will reestablish, while the <br />achievement of a set density, pazticularly if the density is high, is speculative at best and does <br />not adequately account Eor the relatively short ecological time frames associated with the <br />• hability period. <br />As shown on Exhibit 22-1, Postmitting Vegetation Map -Mine Permit Area, selected azeas will <br />receive supplemental shrub seeding or will have shrubs and trees planted. These areas will not <br />be extensive, but will be oriented to provide habitat diversity, mitigate the loss of cover in the <br />lazget mining blocks, provide edge in the reclaimed habitat, supply supplemental forage for <br />Livestock and browse For wildlife, and provide azeas where woody plants may regenerate or <br />spread from. Shrub and tree plantings were arranged to provide travel corridors for wildlife. <br />The revegetation plan, initially emphasizing the postmining land use of livestock grazing wall <br />not seriously impact wildlife habitat of use in the Seneca II-W permit azea. The pattern of <br />disturbance and the potential maximum total reclaimed acreage in the mine area (less than <br />1,200 acres) is not great in relation to the amount of undisturbed habitat remaining in the <br />pemtit area and surrounding areas (please refer to the following exhibits: Exhibit 10-1, <br />Premining Vegetation, and Exhibit 22-1, Postmining Vegetation Map). The addition of grazing <br />lands (i. e., reclaimed azeas) in the Seneca II-W area can reduce livestock pressure on native <br />• vegetation in the undisturbed adjacent areas, providing additional habitat resources to wildlife. <br />PR-05 <br />7 <br />Revised 4l06 <br />