2016-11-29_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1981010

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The revegetation productivity success standard is 47.46 grams per square meter or 11.87 g/1/4 m2 for the range site C reclamation block. In 2014, the forage production on the range site C reclamation block averaged 81.05 g/1/4 m2 or 324.19 g/m2 according to the revegetation monitoring report. According to the report, forage production in 2015 averaged 86.07 g/1/4 m2 or 344.29 g/m2 for the range site C block. However, based on the Division's review, an error was found in Table 8 (Rangeland Reclamation Block C, 2015 Production) in the revegetation monitoring report. For transect 20, the reported production for perennial grasses was noted as "55.4-0", and it appears the production from perennial grasses from this transect was not included in the total production for the transect. Assuming the perennial grasses production was 55.4 g/1/4m2 for transect 20, the Division estimated the mean production at the site to be 85.11 g/1/4 m2 or 340.44 g/m2. Since the reclaimed area production value exceeds the revegetation success standards, as allowed in the Division's existing regulations (Rule 4.15.11(2)), and applying the reverse null statistical approach for statistical adequacy, it can be concluded that the requested reclaimed range site C block satisfies the requirements with respect to production. Species diversity success was determined from the vegetative cover data. The species diversity success standard on rangeland areas of the Trapper mine consists of a minimum of four cool season perennial grass species and one forb species. Each of the contributing species needs to contribute at least 3 percent relative cover but no more than 50 percent relative cover. No four species may contribute greater than 80 percent relative cover. For the range site A/B block, there were in 2014 a total of six cool season perennial grasses that met the relative cover criteria (Great Basin Wildrye, Western Wheatgrass , Kentucky Bluegrass, Sheep Fescue Intermediate Wheatgrass and Bluebunch Wheatgrass) and two forb species (Alfalfa and Western Yarrow). Of these, a single species contributed 14.16% of total relative cover, with the four most dominant species on the site contributing 44.35% of the total relative cover on the site. In the 2015 sampling for the range site A/B block, there were five cool season grasses that met the relative cover criteria (Great Basin Wildrye, Western Wheatgrass, Intermediate Wheatgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass and Sheep Fescue) and one forb species (Alfalfa), with the most dominant species contributing 20.21 % of the total relative cover, with the four most dominant species on the site contributing 61.27% of the total relative cover on the site. The revegetation monitoring confirms that for both sampling periods, the species diversity standard has been met for the range site A/B block. The species diversity standard discussed above is the same for the range site C block. In 2014, there were a total of five cool season perennial grasses that met the relative cover criteria (Intermediate Wheatgrass, Great Basin Wildrye, Western Wheatgrass, Smooth Brome and Sheep Fescue) and one forb species (Alfalfa). Of these, a single species contributed 17.97% of total relative cover, with the four most dominant species on the site contributing 53.28% of the total relative cover on the site. In the 2015 sampling for the range site C block, there were five cool season grasses that met the relative cover criteria (Intermediate Wheatgrass, Greatbasin Wildrye, Western Wheatgrass, Sheep Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass) and one forb species (Alfalfa), with the most dominant species contributing 16.6% of the total relative cover, with the four most dominant species on the site contributing 47.02% of the total relative cover on the site. The revegetation monitoring confirms that for both sampling periods, the species diversity standard has been met for the range site A/B block. There is a woody plant density standard for reclamation range site A/B blocks; however, there is not a standard required for range site C blocks. The woody plant density (WPD) success standard for range site Trapper Mine Page 10 November, 2016 Phase III Bond Release (SL -17)