Laserfiche WebLink
Determination of Revegetation Success. In order to effectively evaluate vegetative reestablishment <br />and ultimate revegetation success, EFCI will monitor revegetated areas at intervals of three (3), seven <br />(7), nine (9), and ten (10) years after initial vegetative reestablishment. Collection of vegetation <br />monitoring data will involve the use of similar methods to those utilized in the collection of vegetative <br />baseline data as described in Section 2.04.10, Vegetation Information. Vegetation monitoring will <br />focus on collection and quantification of data for the parameters of herbaceous plant cover, total <br />herbaceous production, species diversity, and shrub density. Necessary data to assess these <br />parameters will be collected during each monitoring period on both revegetated and reference areas. <br />The purpose of vegetation monitoring efforts during years three (3) and seven (7) on the bond liability <br />period will be evaluation of revegetation trends. Resulting data will be utilized as appropriate to <br />identify any potential areas of concern so that adjustments can be made in post -reclamation <br />management plans to achieve desired revegetation objectives. Revegetation monitoring data collected <br />during years nine (9) and ten (10) on the bond liability period will provide a comparison between <br />reclaimed and reference areas in order to establish and document revegetation success. <br />While the line -intercept method was utilized to collect vegetative baseline information for the <br />Southfield Mine, EFCI will utilize the more efficient point -intercept method to determine vegetative <br />cover. Vegetative diversity will be evaluated using cover data and will determine woody plant density <br />using a weighted average summation of transplant clump density and seeded area woody plant density <br />(determined by belt transect). Cover sampling will involve establishment of random, 50 meter <br />transects and use of a standard 10 -point frame. Woody plant density (seeded areas) will be <br />determined using 50 x 1 meter belt transects along the cover sampling lines. For the Corley Property, <br />woody plants will not be considered in the diversity evaluation and woody plant density will not be <br />evaluated. <br />Original baseline vegetative cover data reflects measurement of basal vegetative cover because <br />extensive grazing had significantly altered natural vegetative growth patterns. Both reference and <br />reclaimed areas have not been disturbed by grazing during the interim period and will be subject to <br />essentially the same post -reclamation management program during the bond liability period. <br />Therefore, post -reclamation monitoring will <br />MR -48 2.05.4-26 Revised March 2003 <br />