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Transect locations will be located by using a random number generating procedure to create up <br />to 50 random coordinate pairs within each study area (reclaimed sites and the reference area). A <br />geographic positioning system (GPS) unit will be used to navigate to the sample points, in the <br />order that the points were randomly generated. Cover transects will be oriented along a random <br />compass bearing from the point of origin. Typically, if production sampling is done concurrently <br />with cover sampling, randomly located one-quarter square meter or larger quadrants will be <br />placed along the transect tape. Cover will be calculated as percent total cover for each transect, <br />and the mean calculated for the study area. Production will be calculated by multiplying the <br />sample dry weight to convert the plot dry weight to kilograms per hectare, which will then be <br />converted to pounds per acre. <br />Reclaimed Irrigated Pasture Soil Analysis <br />The soil types corresponding to the Irrigated Pasture Reference Area and pre -mine soil mapping <br />units are based on the USDA - NRCS Soil Survey of San Miguel Area, which was compiled in <br />the field from 1978 to 1984. The report was published in 1986. This survey can be obtained on <br />the internet at httl2:Hoffices.usda. og v/scripts/nd1SAPI.dll/oip public/USA maw <br />At the NH2 Mine, WFC utilized a soil correction factor to adjust for different productivity levels <br />of the different soil types since there had been no valid statistical comparison of any baseline <br />predisturbance Irrigated Pasture areas for the proposed Irrigated Pasture Reference Area. <br />However, intensive baseline vegetation surveys performed during the summer of 2009 on four <br />different irrigated pasture areas on and immediately adjacent to the NHN Mine site, on the <br />Garvey, Meehan, Glasier and Carver properties, clearly established that there is a high degree of <br />statistical similarity between the baseline predisturbance areas of Irrigated Pasture and the <br />previously approved Irrigated Pasture Reference Area. Given this similarity and the fact that a <br />pure random sampling of the Irrigated Pasture Reference Area results in a weighted average that <br />takes into consideration the differences in soil types, relative to the NHN Mine no soil correction <br />factor is proposed for the proposed postmining revegetation success monitoring. <br />Revegetation Success Criteria and Statistical Procedures - Reclaimed Irrigated Pasture. <br />Revegetation will be deemed adequate if vegetation cover and herbaceous production at the <br />reclaimed site is at least 90% of the vegetative cover at the reference area and herbaceous <br />production is at least 90% of the reference area standard. One of the statistical comparison <br />methods in DRMS Regulations 4.15.11(2) subsections (a), (b), or (c) will be used to document <br />revegetation success of all irrigated pasture reclaimed areas. <br />As allowed in Rule 4.15.8(5), species diversity can be quantified using either plant cover or <br />forage production comparison. When TR -58 at the NH2 Mine was approved, the CDMRS <br />required that in lieu of a species diversity standard for the reclaimed irrigated pasture areas there <br />Section 2.05.4(2)(e) Page 13 May 2015 <br />