2018-02-08_PERMIT FILE - C2010089 (2)

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Cover Success Criterion The cover success criterion for the Garvey Property will be derived from baseline data collected in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The perennial ground cover results for 2009, 2010 and 2011 were 90.66%, 92.34% and 93.13%, respectively. Therefore, the average perennial ground cover from baseline years is 92.04%. In accordance with Rule 4.15.8(3)(a), vegetative cover in the revegetated area shall be considered acceptable when the revegetated area cover is not less than 90% of the approved standard (average perennial cover from the three baseline years). 4.2 Dryland Pasture Revegetation will be deemed adequate on the Dryland Pasture reclaimed sites, if the allowable plant cover and herbaceous production at the reclaimed site is at least 90% of the vegetative cover and herbaceous production of the Old Peabody Sage Reference Area, in conformance with Rules 4.15.8. One of the three statistical comparison methods in Rules 4.15.11(2) subsections (a), (b), or (c) will be used to determine revegetation success. The production standard for the Dryland Pasture type for the NHN will be based on the Old Peabody Sage Reference Area. For all reclaimed Dryland Pasture areas, vegetation cover and herbaceous production will be measured at reclaimed sites and the reference area. Comparisons of the mean parameter values between the reclaimed areas and the reference area will be used to determine revegetation success, as described below. Vegetation cover will be measured as canopy cover of living herbaceous and woody vegetation, as defined by Rule 4.15.8(3)(b). Perennial herbaceous production will be measured as current year aboveground biomass of perennial herbaceous vegetation, as defined by Rule 4.15.8(4). Vegetation sampling for measuring reclamation success will be conducted to ensure a repeatable and unbiased estimate of each vegetation population parameter. Measurements made on the Old Peabody Sage Reference Area will be performed concurrently with vegetation sampling of the reclaimed lands, to ensure valid comparisons as specified in Rule 4.15.11(1). Measurements will be made at a time during the May through September growing season. For a quality standard on Dryland Pasture, at least 75% of the relative production will consist of seeded species or species of comparable quality as livestock forage. State listed noxious weed species and all annual and biennial plants will not be counted toward the revegetation success standard for cover or production in any reclaimed or reference area. During bond release field sampling for cover, at least 15 cover transects and 30 production transects will be collected from each sample area. Sample adequacy will be tested after 15 cover and 30 production samples are taken. Sampling may continue if necessary to reach sample adequacy, or sampling may be terminated before sample adequacy is reached if an alternative Section 2.05.4(2)(e) Page 9 of 14 January 2018 (PR -02)