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techniques and statistical methods to be used in demonstrations of revegetation success <br />are in conformance with Rule 4.15.11. <br />D. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to demonstrate that <br />success criteria of 4.15.8, 4.15.9, or 4.15.10 have been met, will be based on the <br />following: <br />Reference areas have been established for each designated vegetation type, and were <br />originally proposed to be used for comparisons of both vegetation cover and <br />herbaceous production for the affected types (juniper woodland, shadscale shrubland, <br />and greasewood shrubland). The reference areas have been approved for vegetation <br />cover success comparisons. However, because sample adequacy requirements were <br />not met for production within either the reference areas or affected areas for these <br />types, use of reference areas for production comparisons was not approved. Because <br />the combined affected area herbaceous production data for McClave Canyon and the <br />adjacent Munger Canyon permit areas did meet sample adequacy, within each <br />vegetation type, it was determined that the combined affected area production data <br />would be used as the success standard for each of the affected vegetation types, <br />pursuant to Rule 4.15.7(2)(d)(vi) [April 16, 1985 Findings Document]. The <br />herbaceous production success standards based on combining of the data within <br />vegetation types for both mines are as follows: <br />Greasewood Shrubland sample mean: 7661b/ac. <br />Standard (90% of mean): 690 lb/ac. <br />Shadscale Shrubland sample mean: 661 lb/ac. <br />Standard (90% of mean): 595 lb/ac. <br />Juniper Woodland sample mean: 389 lb/ac. <br />Standard (90% of mean): 350 lb/ac. <br />The diversity standard is specified on page 3-17, and requires that a minimum of three <br />perennial species shall each provide a minimum of 3% relative cover. At least two of <br />these species shall be cool season perennial grasses. No individual species shall <br />represent more than 60% relative cover. This standard was amended by RN -04, from <br />the previous standard which mentioned perennial forbs and warm season grasses as <br />counting toward the diversity standard, but identified no minimum relative cover level <br />for any particular life form. Neither warm season grasses nor perennial forbs were <br />significant components of the affected vegetation types. The relatively small number <br />of species required to meet the diversity standard reflects the fact that the total <br />disturbance is only 9.2 acres, and the largest disturbance in any one vegetation type is <br />less than 5 acres. The 60% upper limit is also reflective of the small disturbance area, <br />and the fact that relative cover of the dominant species in the three affected vegetation <br />types ranged from 40% to 58%. <br />The woody plant density standards previously established by the Division in <br />consultation with the Division of Wildlife are: <br />32 <br />