2015-10-13_REVISION - C1981014 (12)

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the 90 % confidence interval for "allowable plant cover" for both the Reference Areas (Nm=5.9) and for the Southfield Mine Reclamation (Nm=5.6), the ultimate successfulness of the revegetation efforts with respect to "allowable plant cover" can be made by direct comparison. Since the weighted average "allowable plant cover" value from the Southfield Mine Reclamation (46.78 %) exceeds that of the Southfield Mine Reference Areas (35.31 %), it can be concluded that the second year's Phase III revegetation monitoring demonstrates that these reclaimed areas can be deemed to be successful respect to the parameter of "allowable plant cover." Forage Production. The weighted average perennial herbaceous forage production for the 90 production transects sampled on these three combined reclamation areas at the Southfield Mine was 41.78 g/1/4m2 or 1,489.0 pounds of air-dry forage per acre with a weighted average standard deviation of 16.03g/l/4m2 or 571.5 pounds of air-dry forage per acre. Application of the sample adequacy formula to the perennial herbaceous forage production data for these three combined reclamation areas would yield a required sample size of 24.6 samples at the 90 % confidence interval. Since sample adequacy was achieved for the Reference Area weighted forage production value (N=91 and Nm=61.9), and for the reclamation areas (N=90 and Nm=24.6), the ultimate determination for forage production can be made by direct comparison. Since the weighted average total perennial fora4e herbaceous production value from the Southfield Mine reclaimed areas (41.78 g/1/4m- or 1,489.0 pounds) exceeds that of the Southfield Mine Reference Areas (23.48 g/1/4m2 or 836.8 pounds), it can be concluded that the second year's Phase III revegetation monitoring demonstrates that these reclaimed areas can be deemed to be successful respect to the parameter of "allowable plant cover." Species Diversity. The Southfield Mine Permit contains two species diversity standards for the Southfield Mine Area. The four most dominant species can "comprise no more than 80 % of the total species composition." Examination of the data presented previously, reveals that for the Refuse Pile, Vento Portal, and Corley Reclamation Areas, the four dominant plant species collectively contribute 72.14 %; 63.80 %; and 72.17 %; respectively. Since all of these values are less than 80 %, the four dominants species diversity test has been satisfied for the Southfield Mine Area. The second species diversity standard, pertains to all four reclaimed areas and will be presented latter. Shrub Density. Examination of the maps and corresponding woody plant density counts for the twelve shrub clumps reveals that there were a total of 3,373 transplanted, seeded or invaded woody plants growing within these areas. Since a total of 3,373 woody plants is greater that the approved woody plant revegetation success standard of 1,843 approved in connection with TR-45, it can be concluded that since the entire population was sampled that the woody plant density revegetation success standard for the 12 shrub clump areas has been satisfied. In 2013, a total of 3,469 woody plants were counted on these areas. According to Table 8, Refuse Pile Reclamation - 2014 Shrub Density, the average shrub density for the Refuse Pile Reclamation outside of the Shrub Clump Areas was 13.57 woody plants per 100 square meters or 549.2 woody plants per acre, which is greater than the 250 woody plant density revegetation success standard approved in connection with TR-45 for the Refuse Pile Reclamation. However, since sample adequacy was not achieved for the woody plant density sampling on the Refuse Pile Reclamation (N=30 and Nm=269.1), the reverse null statistical approach must be used. Application of the "reverse null" statistical approach documents that with respect to the woody plant density for the Refuse Pile Reclamation Area, 27