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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br />For areas exhibiting the characteristics of the sagebrush steppe subcomponent of the Rangeland/Fish and <br />Wildlife Habitat Land Use. <br />At least four native* perennial species, each more than 3% composition, minimum of two of which are <br />grasses and a minimum of one which is a forb, with the following caveat; <br />If no single forb species exceeds 3% composition, the forb requirement can be met if: <br />a) at least two native* perennial forbs combined comprise at least 2% composition, or; <br />b) at least four native* perennial forbs combined comprise at least 1% composition. <br />The dominant species will contribute to the appropriate structure and stability of the postmining <br />vegetative community to insure that the postmining land use as addressed in Section 4.16, Post -mining <br />Land Use, will be sustained. <br />The seed mixtures in Volume 15, Table's 2.05-7 and 2.05-9 contain the desired species to achieve the <br />goal of species diversity in the postmining area as applicability to future reclamation activities in the <br />Collom mining area were a consideration when they were developed. These mixtures contain grasses, <br />forbs and shrubs capable of establishing vegetative communities that are capable of supporting the desired <br />postmining land use. The existing seed mixes are also appropriate based on nearly identical elevation, <br />precipitation, soils, vegetation community structure and function, and pre -mine land use characteristics as <br />were observed in the existing operation. <br />4.15.9 Cropland Revegetation Success <br />Colowyo does not plan to return any of the mined area for use as cropland; therefore, the requirements of <br />this Subsection are not applicable to Colowyo. <br />4.15.10 Previously Mined Land Revegetation Success Criteria <br />Revegetation success criteria established in 4.15.8 shall be used across the entire Collom mining area. <br />4.15.11 Revegetation Sampling Methods and Statistical Demonstrations for Revegetation Success <br />Revegetation Community Mapping / Stratification <br />Unless new, CDRMS approved, and superior monitoring and sampling metrics are developed, the <br />following metrics will be implemented at Colowyo to document revegetation progress and success. <br />During monitoring of revegetated units, developing shrub patches will be identified and as necessary <br />delineated (circumnavigated with a sub -meter GPS unit to document boundaries) to facilitate mapping <br />that in turn will represent the juxtaposition (stratification) of developing communities. As indicated <br />previously, delineated shrub patches will be classified as either "core" areas or "ecotonal" areas <br />depending on apparent density of developing shrub populations. Such stratification is necessary as <br />success criteria associated with areas of wildlife habitat will be applicable to shrub -dominated <br />communities as opposed to grassland success criteria applicable to remaining revegetation efforts <br />targeting livestock grazing land uses (with wildlife habitat benefits). <br />Sample Layout <br />The sample layout protocol for revegetation monitoring and bond release evaluations shall be a systematic <br />procedure designed to better account for the heterogeneous expression of seedings within reclaimed areas <br />while precluding bias in the sample site selection process. By design, the procedure is initiated randomly, <br />and thereafter, samples are located in a systematic manner, along grid coordinates spaced at fixed <br />Collom — Rule 4, Page 27 Revision Date: 4/18/16 <br />Revision No.: PR -04 <br />