2015-10-13_REVISION - C1981014 (18)

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points per transect. Random even numbered intervals were sampled on the right-hand side of the tape and odd -numbered intervals were sampled on the left-hand side of the tape. This process yields a potential cover sampling area of approximately one -hundred meters in size. Each time the rod was dropped, the plant species encountered by the rod was recorded. If no plant cover was encountered, then the observation was recorded as to the presence of litter, rock, bare ground, lichens or cryptograms. Plant material produced in the 2013 growing season which was still attached to the plant was considered as living plant material and all plant material produced in prior years and which was dead or which had fallen to the ground was considered to be litter. The 100 data points collected along each cover transect were summarized into a single datum for purposes of statistical analysis. Absolute and relative plant cover, along with the plant life forms were determined based upon the plant cover data collected. As outlined in the discussion of the revegetation success standards for reclaimed plant cover in the Southfield Permit, the weighted average cover of the three reference areas located at the Southfield Mine were compared to the weighted average cover from the reclaimed areas. As recommended by the CDRMS in their Bond Release Guideline, cover of all annual and biennial plants were excluded from the "allowable plant cover" revegetation success standard. In addition, EFCI's consultant was informed during pre -consultation meetings with the CDRMS, that no state listed noxious weeds could be counted towards the "allowable plant cover " revegetation success standard. Therefore, in this analysis, the "allowable plant cover" revegetation success standard, consisted of only perennial plant cover, minus all state listed noxious weeds and all annuals and biennials. Forage Production. Forage production in this evaluation included only perennial herbaceous species. A simple random sampling approach was used to collect forage production along randomly located transects. In many instances the forage production transect was the plant cover and shrub density transect. Along each production transect, three randomly located one-quarter square meter circular plots were located along the transect tape and clipped at ground level. As directed by the CDRMS relative to other final revegetation sampling efforts, the production plots were clipped by life forms for perennial grasses and perennial forbs for the reference areas and on the reclaimed areas. As recommended in the CDRMS Vegetation Guideline, Bond Release Guideline and CDRMS Regulations, annuals, biennials, and noxious weeds identified in Table 1, Southfield - Plant Species List, were not harvested in the forage production sampling. For each area sampled, a minimum of 30 forage production transects were collected as required by the CDRMS regulations pertaining to the final bond release sampling. Following clipping, the harvested plant materials were dried in a drying oven at 105 degrees C until a constant dry weight (+/- 0.1 gram) was obtained. In the discussion of results, these forage production data are presented in to grams per quarter square meter and pounds per acre. Species Diversity. The Southfield Mine Permit contains species diversity revegetation success standards relating only to warm season grass species. In order to standardize the definition of what species are warm season grasses, we followed the recommendation made by Ms. Janet Binns and used the USDA Plants website site to identify warm season (C-4) grass species which are identified in Table 1, Southfield - Plant Species List.