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The mean allowable all -hit herbaceous vegetation cover sampled in the 2006 reclaimed areas <br />was 43.0 percent, thus above 90 percent of the cover performance standard (31.5 percent, see <br />Figure B -1 a). In 2010, the samples within a Phase 2 bond release block that fell within the 2006 <br />reclaimed areas (samples 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 23; see ESCO 2011) averaged 39.3 percent all- <br />hit allowable cover. <br />Herbaceous Production <br />Calculation of 90 percent of the production performance standard appropriate for 2013 sampling <br />is demonstrated below. <br />Aspen Reference Area Allowable Herbaceous Production' = 662 Ibs /acre <br />Mountain Brush Reference Area Allowable Herbaceous Production' = 417.5 Ibs /acre <br />Sagebrush Reference Area Allowable Herbaceous Production' = 444.3 Ibs /acre <br />Steep Mountain Brush Reference Area Allowable Herbaceous Production' = 323 Ibs /acre <br />90 percent of the Production Standard = <br />0.90 [0.244 (662) + 0.489 (417.5) + 0.24 (444.3) + 0.027(323.0)] = 432.9 Ibs /acre <br />' Herbaceous production adjusted by subtracting annual /biennial plant production in excess of <br />10% of the remainder. Production by noxious weed species is not collected. <br />As can be seen in Figure B -2, the 2006 reclaimed area mean allowable herbaceous production of <br />2014.6 pounds per acre far exceeded 90 percent of the production performance standard of <br />432.9 Ibs /acre. <br />Woody Plant Density <br />BACKGROUND DENSITY <br />In the 2006 reclamation area, the 2008 - observed woody plant density level of 239 stems per acre <br />increased to 1651 stems per acre in 2013, which is a very encouraging trend. As of 2013, slightly <br />greater than 2/3 of the total shrub density was big sagebrush. <br />SHRUB CONCENTRATION AREA DENSITIES <br />The three shrub concentration planting areas that lay within the 2006 reclamation averaged 1955 <br />stems per acre, thus exceeding the 1800 stem level (90% of the 2000 stems per acre standard <br />for Concentration areas). Interestingly, by far the largest species contribution came from not big <br />sagebrush or mountain snowberry, but from Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia). <br />il% <br />