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Revegetation Success Criteria and Statistical Procedures - Dryland Pasture <br />Revegetation will be deemed adequate on the Dryland Pasture reclaimed sites, if the allowable <br />plant cover and herbaceous production at the reclaimed site is at least 90% of the vegetative <br />cover and herbaceous production of the approved Dryland Pasture Reference Area, in <br />conformance with CDRMS Regulations 4.15.8. One of the three statistical comparison methods <br />in CDRMS Regulations 4.15.11(2) subsections (a), (b), or (c) will be used to determine <br />revegetation success. <br />The production standard for the Dryland Pasture type for the NHN Mine area will be based on a <br />Dryland Pasture Reference Area located at the Nucla Airport. This area was originally <br />established in the summer of 2000 and augmented in 2005. The augmentation allows the <br />reference area to be divided into two sections: one for rangeland and the other for Dryland <br />Pasture. This Airport Dryland Pasture Reference Area is shown on Map 2.04.10-4. Attachment <br />2.05.4(2)(e)-3 includes a copy of the lease between WFC and Montrose County Regional <br />Airport that shows the evidence of right of entry for the dryland pasture reference area. <br />The Airport Dryland Pasture Reference Area is located within the fenced boundaries of the <br />Nucla Airport and is protected from domestic livestock grazing. Wildlife (deer, elk) utilize the <br />area as they will on the NHN reclaimed land. <br />For all reclaimed Dryland Pasture areas, vegetation cover and herbaceous production will be <br />measured at reclaimed sites and the reference area. Comparisons of the mean parameter values <br />between the reclaimed areas and the reference area will be used to determine revegetation <br />success, as described below. Vegetation cover will be measured as canopy cover of living <br />herbaceous and woody vegetation, as defined by CDRMS Regulation 4.15.8(3)(b). Perennial <br />herbaceous production will be measured as current year aboveground biomass of perennial <br />herbaceous vegetation, as defined by CDRMS Regulation 4.15.8(4). <br />Vegetation sampling for measuring reclamation success will be conducted to ensure a repeatable <br />and unbiased estimate of each vegetation population parameter. Measurements made on the <br />Dryland Pasture Reference Area will be performed concurrently with vegetation sampling of the <br />reclaimed lands, to ensure valid comparisons as specified in DRMS Regulation 4.15.11(1). <br />Measurements will be made at a time during the June through September growing season. <br />Vegetation cover will be measured by a point intercept method that meets the provisions of <br />DRMS Regulation 4.15.11 (1)(a)(1). The observational unit will be a series of points along a <br />transect of at least 5 meters, and typically 50 meters in length, and at least 50 data points at either <br />random or regular intervals along the transect. A point sampling device supported by a rigid <br />frame will be used to ensure unbiased and vertical point placement. <br />Herbaceous production will be measured by a plot sampling method that meets the provisions of <br />DRMS Regulation 4.15.11 (1)(b)(1). The observational unit will be a rectangular or circular plot <br />Section 2.05.4(2)(e) Page 22 May 2015 <br />