2012-10-24_PERMIT FILE - C1994082A

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Upon completion of mining in an area and within the first several years after revegetation activities, revegetation monitoring studies will be conducted. These monitoring studies will provide both the reclamation manager and postmine manager or landowner with an excellent basis for livestock stocking rates, carrying capacities, and overall management of the area both during the bond liability period and after release of the lands. In addition, wildlife managers will have detailed vegetation data documenting habitat and the amount and type of food and cover habitat available. Water resources will be documented. The postinining land uses, achieved through the reclamation and revegetation plans, will thus provide a high level of utility. It will also improve livestock and wildlife forage resources, aid in mitigating impacts to wildlife; ensure the establishment of vegetation that is diverse and self - sustaining; and will provide the components to reestablish native plant communities over time through processes of natural succession. Reference Areas. The extended reference areas are those undisturbed areas existing between • the actual life -of -mine disturbance boundary and the current permit boundary. These undisturbed areas represent sufficient acreages of the native vegetation types to be used in revegetation success evaluations described later in Tab 22. The location and extent of the extended reference area is shown on Exhibit 10-3, Reference Areas. SCC has established an additional four (4) acre reference area in the SOME% of Section 5 T5N, R87W to evaluate revegetation success along the haul road corridor (see Exhibit 10-3). The proposed four (4) acre reference area for the haul road corridor is representative of the geology (parent material) and soils of the haul road corridor, both of which are dominated by the Binco silty clay loam. Slopes are gentle to moderate in both areas. Although this reference area is outside of the permit area, SCC maintains ownership control of this area and the lands adjacent to it. This reference area will be fenced to control grazing and facilitate sampling. SCC will submit the technical revision application with reference area sampling data, summary report, and additional information as necessary to demonstrate compliance with applicable requirements of 4.15.7(3) by June 29, 2008. • Postmining Land Use Management. Management of reclaimed lands will be similar to the management of the area prior to mining. Proper management of reclaimed lands will be stressed during the liability period. Livestock grazing will begin in late May or early June with areas being TR -31 6 Revised 04/07