2015-10-13_REVISION - C1981014 (18)

Home Browse Search

production, species diversity, and shrub density. Necessary data to assess these parameters will be collected during each monitoring period on both revegetated and reference areas. The purpose of vegetation monitoring efforts during years three (3) and seven (7) of the bond liability period will be evaluation of revegetation trends. Resulting data will be utilized as appropriate to identify any potential areas of concern so that adjustments can be made in post reclamation management plans to achieve desired revegetation objectives. Revegetation monitoring data collected during years nine (9) and ten (10) of the bond liability period will provide a comparison between reclaimed and reference areas in order to establish and document revegetation success. While the line -intercept method was utilized to collect vegetation baseline information for the Southfield Mine, EFCI will utilize the more efficient point -intercept method to determine vegetative cover. Vegetative diversity will be evaluated using cover data and will determine woody plant density using a weighted average summarization of transplant clump density and seeded area woody plant density (determined by belt transect). Cover sampling will involve establishment of random, 50 meter transects and use a standard 10 - point frame. Woody plant density (seeded areas) will be determined using 50 x 1 meter belt transects along the cover sampling lines. For the Corley Property, woody plants will not be considered in the diversity evaluation and woody plant density will not be evaluated. Original baseline vegetative cover data reflects measurement of basal vegetative cover because extensive grazing had significantly altered natural vegetative growth patterns. Both the reference and reclaimed areas have not been disturbed by grazing during the interim period and will be subject to essentially the same post -reclamation management program during the bond liability period. Therefore, post -reclamation monitoring will involve measurement of total herbaceous cover. Determination of revegetation success will involve a comparison of vegetative cover data for reclaimed and reference areas utilizing the "t test" method (Larson 1980). Reference area data for the grassland (Reference Plot A) and ponderosa/pinion/juniper woodland (Reference Plot B) vegetation types will be combined using a weighted average approach. Consistent with pre - disturbance vegetation boundaries, and disturbed area mapping, the weighting factor will reflect 79.8 percent grassland and 20.2 percent ponderosa/pinion/juniper woodland disturbed. If the absolute value of cover for reclaimed areas is greater than or equal to the calculated 90% confidence level for the reference area value, then the means between the areas shall be determined statistically equivalent and vegetative cover will meet regulatory standards. Vegetative productivity of reclaimed areas will be evaluated by clipping one quarter square meter circular quadrats along the sample transect. All plant species will be clipped, dried, and weighted to determine total vegetative production. If the absolute value of production from the reclaimed area is greater than or equal to the calculated 90% confidence level for the reference area value, then the corresponding means shall be determined statistically equivalent and vegetative productivity for the reclaimed area will be judged to be adequate to meet regulatory revegetation success standards. Species diversity will be evaluated for revegetated areas utilizing data from vegetative cover sampling. Species diversity shall be considered adequate when the four (4) dominant species, based on plant cover, comprise no more than 80% of the total species composition. The two dominant warm season grass species shall collectively comprise at least 50% of total plant cover composition. 21