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Woody plant density and species diversity success criteria will be based on performance standards. As <br />• discussed later in this section, seasonal variety as a success parameter is not applicable because of the <br />cool season vegetation dominance in the native areas. <br />The extended reference area approach maximizes the use of extensive undisturbed lands within the <br />permit area that contain the same vegetation types found in the disturbance area. This allows for a <br />more valid comparison of native vegetation to reclaimed lands. The total maximum life-of -mine <br />disturbance is illustrated on Exhibit 22 -1. This exhibit provides an estimate of undisturbed vegetation <br />available for inclusion in an extended reference area. The extended reference area includes all <br />undisturbed lands between the permit boundary and the life -of -mine disturbance boundary. As can <br />be seen from review of this exhibit, considerable undisturbed areas will remain after mining - related <br />disturbances. These undisturbed areas represent. similar. ranges- ofrsoils,, eleyations,. aspects, slopes, <br />and phases of the representative vegetation communities in the affected areas. All major premine <br />vegetation communities are represented in these undisturbed areas (overlay Exhibit 10-1 with Exhibit <br />22 -1). The extent of these undisturbed vegetation communities and the close proximity to the <br />reclaimed areas provide the best comparison to premine site and vegetation conditions possible. The <br />final Yoast disturbance area is smaller (PR -02) than originally anticipated and indicated on the <br />• approved Post - Mining Vegetation Map (IR -25). Some of these undisturbed areas are "islands" <br />surrounded by disturbed area or peninsular areas along the fringes of the disturbed area <br />(approximately 34.6 acres), which will serve as Mature Upland Shrub sites and additional Aspen sites. <br />The approved acres of "Mature Shrub Transplant Sites" have been replaced with already established <br />undisturbed islands and peninsular areas of established mountain shrubs located within the approved <br />disturbance area. This approach helps to ensure continued survival of `live" mature shrubs and <br />aspen. Exhibit 22 -1, Post - Mining Vegetation Map (sheet 2), indicates the location of the "undisturbed <br />areas" included as Aspen and Mature Shrub Transplant sites. SCC will monitor these "islands" as <br />extended reference areas. The 2006 Annual Reclamation report will include qualitative descriptions of <br />the "typical' and major islands. Many of the islands are along the disturbance boundary and sampling <br />of each polygon would be difficult and unnecessary. SCC will sample those "islands" over five (5) <br />acres and prepare a typical description of the remaining smaller areas. <br />Seneca Coal Company has surface control of all lands to be included in the extended reference area. <br />This will allow SCC to manage the reference areas in accordance with the approved postmining land <br />use. It will also facilitate simile management for both the reference and revegetated areas for any <br />• bond release evaluations during the last two years of the liability period. Reference area comparability <br />is addressed in Appendix 22 -1. <br />PR -02 33 Revised 01/06 <br />