2015-10-13_REVISION - C1981014 (12)

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acre. When sampled in 2006, average total perennial herbaceous production was 69.94 g/l/4m2 or 2,492.7 pounds of air-dry forage per acre. Species Diversity. According to Table 22, Loadout Reclamation - 2014 Plant Cover, the four dominant plant species accounted for 69.16 % of the total relative cover. There were three warm season grass species which contributed more than three percent of the relative plant cover. When this site was sampled in 2013, the four most dominant plant species contributed 23.26 % of the total plant cover or 79.61 % of the total relative cover. Shrub Density. The results obtained from the sampling of the 30 shrub density transects are found in Table 24, Loadout Reclamation - 2014 Shrub Density. This table shows that the woody plant density averaged 13.17 woody plants per 100 m2 or 533.0 woody plants per acre. The locations of the 30 shrub density transects sampled are shown on Map 21, Loadout Reclamation - 2014 Transect Location Map. The sample adequacy calculations in Table 2, 2014 Statistical Summary and Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the number of samples required to characterize the parameter of woody plant density at the 90 % confidence interval was 213.9 transects. When this area was sampled in 2013, the woody plant density averaged 12.67 woody plants per 100 m2 or 512.6 woody plants per acre. When sampled in 2010, the woody plant density averaged 4.10 shrubs per 100 m- or 165.9 woody plants per acre. When sampled in 2006, the woody plant density averaged 4.43 shrubs per 100 m' or 179.3 woody plants per acre. DETERMINATION OF REVEGETATION SUCCESS The Southfield Mine Permit contains the following revegetation success standards for the reclaimed areas corresponding to the Southfield Mine and the Southfield Loadout areas. As contained therein, the Permit states on pages 2.05.4-26 and 27: In order to effectively evaluate vegetative reestablishment and ultimate revegetation success, EFCI will monitor revegetated areas at intervals of three (3), seven (7), nine (9) and ten (10 years after initial vegetative reestablishment. Collection of vegetation monitoring data will involve the use of similar methods to those utilized in the collection of vegetation monitoring data as described in Section 2.04. 10 Vegetation Information. Vegetation monitoring will focus on collection and quantification of data for the parameters of herbaceous plant cover, total herbaceous 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. 22