Chapter 3 R645-301-300 Biology TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 3 BIOLOGY REGULATION DESCRIPTION PAGE R645-301-300 Biology............................................................................................ 3-1 R645-301-320 Environmental Description ............................................................. 3-1 R645-301-321 Vegetation Information................................................................... 3-1 321.100 Plant Communities............................................................................................ 3-1 321.200 Productivity of Land....................................................................................... 3-16 R645-301-322 Fish and Wildlife Information ...................................................... 3-17 322.210 Endangered or Protected Plants and Animals................................................. 3-28 322.220 Habitats and Areas of High Value .................................................................. 3-32 R645-301-323 Maps and Aerial Photographs....................................................... 3-33 323.200 Monitoring Stations ........................................................................................ 3-33 323.300 Protection Facilities ....................................................................................... 3-33 323.400 Plant Communities and Sample Locations ..................................................... 3-33 R645-301-330 Operation Plan ............................................................................. 3-34 R645-301-331 Intrim Reclamation Plan .............................................................. 3-34 R645-301-332 Subsidence Impacts and Mitigation ............................................. 3-38 R645-301-333 Plant, Fish and Wildlife Plan ....................................................... 3-38 R645-301-340 Reclamation Plan ......................................................................... 3-46 R645-301-341 Revegetation ............................................................................... 3-46 341.230 Mulching Techniques ..................................................................................... 3-57 341.240 Irrigation ........................................................................................................ 3-57 3-ii 12/8/04 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) CHAPTER 3 BIOLOGY REGULATION DESCRIPTION PAGE 341.250 Determination of Revegetation Success ......................................................... 3-58 R645-301-342 Fish and Wildlife Reclamation Plan ............................................. 3-60 R645-301-350 Performance Standards ................................................................. 3-61 R645-301-351 General Requirements................................................................... 3-61 R645-301-352 Contemporaneous Reclamation ................................................... 3-61 R645-301-353 Revegetation General Requirements ............................................ 3-61 353.250 Noxious Weeds............................................................................................... 3-62 R645-301-354 Revegetation: Timing.................................................................... 3-63 R645-301-355 Renegetation: Mulching and Soil Stabilizing ............................... 3-63 R645-301-356 Revegetation: Standards For Success .......................................... 3-63 R645-301-357 Revegetation: Extended Responsibility Period............................. 3-64 R645-301-358 Protection of Environmental Values............................................. 3-64 3-iii 12/8/04 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) CHAPTER 3 BIOLOGY LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX DESCRIPTION PAGE Appendix A Vegetation Analysis of Reference Areas...........................................................3A-1 Appendix B Miscellaneous Data............................................................................................3B-1 Appendix C Shower House Pad Vegetation and Reference Areas........................................3C-1 Appendix D Tank Seam Access Road Vegetation.................................................................3D-1 Appendix E Vegetation Studies for the Federal Lease Area U-024316.................................3E-1 Appendix F Vegetation Sampling in the Wild Horse Ridge Area.........................................3F-1 Appendix G Vegetation Sampling in the Wild Horse Ride Tank Seam Area........................3G-1 Appendix H Mohrland Vegetation Study...............................................................................3H-1 Appendix I Fish and Wildlife Resource Information.............................................................3I-1 Appendix J Mitigation and Impact Avoidance Procedures, General to All Wildlife.............3J-1 Appendix K Vertebrate Species of Southeastern Utah...........................................................3K-1 Appendix L Wildlife Survey Information .............................................................................3L-1 Appendix M Wild Horse Ridge Bat and Owl Surve 3M-1 Appendix N Prey Base Study 3N-1 3-iv 01/01/2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) CHAPTER 3 BIOLOGY LIST OF TABLES TABLE DESCRIPTION PAGE Table 3-1 Vegetation Types.......................................................................................38 Table 3-2 Vegetation Reference Areas...................................................................3-16 Table 3-3 Recommended Seed Mix for Interim Reclamation................................3-36 Table 3-4 Revegetation Schedule............................................................................3-47 Table 3-5 Recommended Seed Mix. Riparian-Creek Bottom................................3-49 Table 3-6 Recommended Seed Mix. Pinyon Juniper Grass....................................3-50 Table 3-7 Suggested Proportions of Tack to Fiber................................................3-51 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE DESCRIPTION PAGE Figure 3-1 Utah Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Mammalian Species in Relation to Permit Area 3-29 Figure 3-2 Correct Planting Procedures...................................................................3-55 Figure 3-3 Seedling Storage.....................................................................................3-56 3-v 01/01/2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) CHAPTER 3 BIOLOGY LIST OF PLATES PLATE DESCRIPTION Plate 3-1 Vegetation Map Plate 3-2 Deer Habitat Plate 3-3 Elk Habitat Plate 3E-1 Vegetation Resources Map for Federal Lease Area U-024316 Plate 3-4 Black Bear Plate 3-5 Bob Cat 3-vi 01/01/2007 R645-301-300 Biology R645-301-320 Environmental Description R645-301-321 Vegetation Information 321.100 Plant Communities A reference area, approximately one acre in size was selected in July 1983, encompassing pinyon-juniper-grass and riparian vegetation types (Plate 3-1). The reference area was selected on the basis of similarity with vegetation types which were believed to have occurred within the disturbed area before mining. This was done in conjunction with Mr. Lynn Kunzler of the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM). In 1993, reference areas were selected for the Shower House Pad disturbance and the Tank Seam Access Road disturbance. The areas were selected in conjunction with Susan White of the D.O.G.M. These areas are also shown on Plate 3-1. In 1996, a reference area was selected by Patrick Collins for the proposed Wild Horse Ridge disturbance. In 2001 he selected a reference area for the Wild Horse Ridge Tank Seam Pad area. These areas are shown on Plate 3-1. Plant communities and productivity was determined from these studies. 3-1 12/8/04 OPERATION AND RECLAMATION PLAN 3.1 SCOPE This Chapter describes the action and procedures of Co-op Mining Company (Co-Op) to satisfy the requirements for underground mining operations and reclamation. 3.2 SURFACE FACILITIES - EXISTING The mine which existed at the present site when mining began had been abandoned for over 30 years and subsequently there is no evidence of long existing facilities. 3.3 SURFACE FACILITIES - NEW 3.3.1 Site Selection and Preparation of Proposed Facilities Plates 2-4 show the location of all surface facilities. In addition, the maps show an accurate determination of where each facility is in relation to the existing topography as well as structural fixtures such as highways and stream buffer zones. This page intentionaly left blank 3-2 1/01/07 VEGETATION SCOPE A reference area, approximately one acre in size was selected in July 1983, encompassing pinyon-juniper-grass and riparian vegetation types (Plate 3-1). The reference area was selected on the basis of similarity with vegetation types which were believed to have occurred within the disturbed area before mining. This was done in conjunction with Mr. Lynn Kunzler of the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM). Further discussion with D.O.G.M has determined that there are better reference areas nearer to the mine site, therefore this area will no longer be used as a reference area. In 1993, reference areas were selected for the Shower House Pad disturbance and the Tank Seam Access Road disturbance. The areas were selected in conjunction with Susan White of the D.O.G.M. These areas are also shown on Plate 3-1. The Shower House Pad reference area will also be used for the shop, sediment pond A, scale house, and coal storage areas. The tank Seam Access Road reference area will also be used for the mine access road. In 1996, a reference area was selected by Patrick Collins for the proposed