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2.05.4(2)(e) <br />(vi) Revegetation Success <br />Initially, revegetation success will be qualitatively evaluated during routine <br />inspections of the reclaimed sites. These evaluations shall include <br />assessments of noxious weeds, species diversity and the general health of the <br />vegetation. Results of these evaluations will be included in the annual reports. <br />Reclaimed areas will be checked annually after snowmelt for the formation of <br />rills and gullies. To document each inspection, a report will be prepared and <br />be made available for inspections as required under Rule 5.02.4. Rills and <br />gullies deeper than nine inches will be noted in the report. By the end of <br />August of the same year, laborers or small equipment will be used to fill, grade <br />or otherwise stabilize rills and gullies deeper than nine inches. The repaired <br />area will be seeded and mulched by the end of the same year. Mulch will be <br />anchored to the ground with netting if appropriate. <br />Revegetation will be monitored once during the third to fifth years of the liability <br />period based on the results of a visual assessment of the vegetation and in <br />consultation with the Division. Should the reclamation appear successful and <br />the vegetation warrant such, monitoring data will be collected in preparation for <br />a Phase II bond release application. Absolute cover data will be collected to <br />adequacy in both reclaimed and reference areas. Multiple hit data will not be <br />collected. An estimate of the species diversity success will be based on first <br />hit data which, in the case of a herb dominated community, is highly correlated <br />with multiple hit data. Should the reclaimed areas not be candidates for a <br />Phase I I bond release application, cover data will not necessarily be collected <br />to adequacy. <br />Should the reclamation and revegetation successfully meet the requirements, <br />quantitative sampling will be carried out in years nine and ten of the bond <br />liability period. Methods will be consistent with the methods and analytical <br />techniques used during the baseline study except that woody stem density <br />sampling would not be carried out because no standard applies. <br />Three major communities were mapped as part of the 1995 baseline study - <br />Juniper Woodland, Mixed Shrub and Disturbed Meadow. Following is a <br />discussion of how revegetation success will be measured for each major <br />community. Three major communities were identified as part of the 2015 <br />baseline study of the areas to be affected by exploration activity and gob vent <br />holes. They are Mesic Mountain Shrub, Aspen and Xeric Mountain Shrub. <br />As stated above, the intent of the revegetation plan is to reestablish a wildlife <br />land use that is equal to or better than the existing conditions, fewer shrubs will <br />TR -101 2.05-76 06/15 <br />