Laserfiche WebLink
Peabody Sage Creek Mine <br />SL -3 Phase III Bond Release Request <br />July 2014 <br />the two reference areas is 78.4 percent (Table H -3, Report in Attachment D). This exceeds 90% <br />of the standard (0.9 x 70% = 63 %). Hence Alternative Test C is passed. <br />In assessing Alternative Test D, the total number of native species encountered in the first nine <br />100 sq.m. (2 m x 50 m) samples of the 2010 BRB PSCM -1 Phase III area that constituted an <br />adequate sample was 33, greater than the weighted reference area average species density of 28.7 <br />species per 100 sq.m.. Hence Alternative Test D is passed. <br />Thus, for 2010 species diversity, Mandatory Test A was passed as were Alternative Tests C and D <br />and hence the Phase III species diversity criteria as a whole is passed for 2010 BRB PSCM -1. <br />2011 Species Diversity Success Evaluation <br />Mandatory Test A requires that no single species comprise greater than 60% relative cover in the <br />2011 BRB PSCM -1 Phase III area. Table H -5 (Report, Attachment D) shows that the most <br />abundant single species was intermediate wheatgrass with 52.0% relative first hit cover, which is <br />below the 60% relative cover requirement. Hence Mandatory Test A is passed. <br />To assess Alternative Test B, Total Species Density test (probability- adjusted density standard), <br />the following is calculated for 2011 BRB PSCM -1 Phase III (Table H -6, Report, Attachment D): <br />Mean Species density (area- weighted from the reference areas = 38.05 species /100 sq.m. <br />Mean Reference Area Species Density —1.15 s = 38.05 —1.15 (8.14) = 28.69 <br />Mean total species density in the 2011 BRB PSCM -1 reclaimed lands = 18.20 <br />Mean total species density is less than the standard; hence Alternative Species Density Test B for <br />Phase III in 2011 is NOT passed. <br />Regarding Alternative Test C, the similarity index between the lifeform species density values for <br />the prescribed lifeforms for 2011 BRB PSCM -1 and the Mean Species density (Area- weighted) in <br />the two reference areas is 77.9% (Table H -7, Report in Attachment D), which exceeds 90% of <br />the standard (0.9 x 70% = 63 %). Hence Alternative Test C is passed. <br />21 <br />