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Total herbaceous productivity measured in the greasewood reference area in 2012 was 66.14lbs/acre. <br />Reclamation success standard requires the reclaimed area to meet or exceed 90% of the total <br />herbaceous productivity on the approved reference area at a 90% confidence interval (PAP pg. 12- <br />23). 90% of the total herbaceous productivity in the greasewood reference area equals 59.53lb/acre <br />for 2012. The Division finds the greasewood reclaimed areas exceeded the standard for herbaceous <br />productivity and is deemed successful for 2012. <br />Woody Plant Density: Greasewood Bond Release Block 2011 & 2012. <br />The reclamation success standard for woody stem establishment on the greasewood reclamation areas <br />is 800 stems per acre. <br />Sampling for woody stem establishment has consistently given mine operators challenges. Due to <br />the high standard deviation, sample adequacy was not achieved after the operator had collected 97 <br />samples. SCC used the reverse null approach to demonstrate reclamation success. The Division finds <br />this approach acceptable. 2011 sample results for woody stem density on the greasewood reclamation <br />areas was 1,943 woody stems per acre. The Division finds that the greasewood bond release block <br />exceeded the standard for woody plant density establishment for 2011 and is considered successful <br />for the 2011 sampling event. <br />Sample adequacy was not achieved during the 2012 woody stem density sampling after the operator <br />had collected 96 samples. SCC used the reverse null approach to demonstrate reclamation success. <br />The Division finds this approach acceptable. 2012 sample results for woody stem density on the <br />greasewood reclamation areas was 1,650 woody stems per acre. The Division finds that the <br />greasewood bond release block exceeded the standard for woody plant density establishment for 2012 <br />and is considered successful for the 2012 sampling event. <br />Species Diversity: Greasewood Areas 2011 & 2012. <br />PAP page 14-24 states the requirements of the species diversity standard for the Roadside Mine. <br />For species diversity success: <br />Total cool -season grass species will have relative cover >0.5% with a minimum of two species <br />observed in the reclamation. <br />Total warm -season grass species will have relative cover >0.5% with a minimum of two species <br />observed in the reclamation. <br />Total perennial forb and suffrutescent (sub -shrub) species will have relative cover >0.5% with a <br />minimum of two species observed in the reclamation. <br />No reclaimed area shall have any single species that exceeds 70% relative cover, with the exception <br />of annual grass. The annual grass component shall not exceed 70% relative cover unless the annual <br />grass component in the corresponding reference area also exceeds 70%. If annual grass exceeds 70% <br />Page 17 <br />