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Success demonstration methods include the following: <br />1. Cover - Point intercept random sampling within reclaimed parcels and associated <br />reference areas will be employed for Reclaimed Irrigated Pastureland and <br />Dryland Pasture areas. Cover sampling is not required on Irrigated Cropland <br />reclaimed areas. <br />2. Production - Clipping of randomly located 1/4 square meter or larger quadrats, <br />oven drying and weighing, will be used to estimate herbaceous production on <br />Reclaimed Irrigated Pastureland and Dryland Pasture areas. On Irrigated <br />Cropland, a field harvest measurement method will be employed, in which a <br />statistically adequate random sample of hay bales from the reclaimed parcel are <br />weighed, the total number of bales in the parcel is counted, and the total hay <br />production for the parcel in pounds per acre is calculated by multiplying average <br />bale weight by total number of bales, divided by parcel acreage. <br />3. Species diversity - Species diversity standards have not been established for <br />reclaimed areas within the New Horizon Mine 2 area. For the relatively <br />intensive agricultural land uses proposed, simple seed mixes comprised of a <br />small number of productive forage species are appropriate for the irrigated <br />pasture and dryland pasture areas, and the crop to be produced on the irrigated <br />cropland is alfalfa hay. However, forage quality standards are specified. For the <br />irrigated cropland, at least 85% of the production is to be provided by alfalfa, and <br />for the pastureland types, at least 75% of the herbaceous production is to be <br />provided by seeded species or species of comparable quality as livestock forage. <br />The forage quality demonstrations will be based on a statistically adequate <br />production sample, with the option (for irrigated cropland only) of demonstration <br />based on qualitative assessment by a qualified agronomist, with written <br />landowner concurrence. <br />4. Woody plant density - Not applicable to irrigated pastureland, irrigated cropland <br />alfalfa hay, or dryland pasture reclaimed areas within the New Horizon Mine 2 <br />area, for the same reasons discussed under "Species Diversity ", above. Due to <br />management objectives, woody plants are not compatible with the cropland and <br />irrigated pasture types. One shrub (fourwing saltbush), and one half -shrub <br />(forage kochia) are included at low rates in the dryland pasture seedmix, based <br />on their desirable livestock forage characteristics and site adaptation, however <br />given the land use, a specific density requirement is not warranted. <br />The Division proposes to approve these techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br />E. In order to demonstrate that revegetation success criteria of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, and 4.25 <br />have been met, the following success standards will be used: <br />New Horizon Mine 1: <br />52 <br />