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<br />Proposed Decision and Findings of Compliance July 2018 <br />Permit Renewal No. 7 P a g e | 50 <br />D. Revegetation Success Standards <br /> <br />Prior to initial disturbance at the Mine, Colorado State University and the U.S. Soil Conservation <br />Service Upper Colorado Plant Materials Center conducted studies, in cooperation with Colowyo, <br />to determine appropriate seed sources, species composition and revegetation practices to ensure <br />reclamation success at the mine site. Results of the studies conducted by Colorado State University <br />are included in Exhibit 10 of the PAP. Methods for evaluating vegetative success are found in <br />Sections 2.04.10 and 4.15 of the PAP. <br /> <br />As part of this process, two reference areas have been established for the determination of <br />reclamation success. One reference area represents the sagebrush community while the other <br />represents the mountain shrub community. <br /> <br />Colowyo has three distinct revegetation success standards: <br /> <br /> The pre-2009 reclaimed areas. <br /> The recent (2009 – 2012) reclaimed areas that are designated grazing land. <br /> The recent reclaimed areas that are designated sagebrush steppe. <br /> <br />These standards are based on the substantive changes in the reclamation plan and seed mixes that <br />resulted from the approval of TR-72 in June 2009. <br />E. Revegetation Monitoring Plan <br /> <br />Colowyo monitors vegetation establishment to ensure that success standards are being met. <br />Information on the vegetation monitoring plan is found in Section 4.15.1(4) of the PAP. Results <br />of these surveys are included in the Annual Reclamation Reports. <br /> <br />As a part of this plan, monitoring shall occur from late June to early August to best utilize <br />information measurable during the active growing season. Monitoring of the first growing season <br />after planting will determine the frequency of occurrence of planted versus volunteer species. This <br />strategy will allow for corrective action to be employed when necessary. <br /> <br />During the second and fourth growing seasons after planting, data for herbaceous cover and woody <br />plant density will be collected by species. Colowyo will then conduct vegetation monitoring <br />during the seventh year and every three years thereafter. Vegetation monitoring information will <br />be submitted to the Division as part of the Annual Reclamation Reports, along with a map <br />delineating areas sampled each year. <br /> <br />Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to demonstrate that success <br />criteria have been met, will be based on herbaceous cover, herbaceous productivity, woody plant <br />stem density, and species diversity (Rule 4.15.7(2)(d)).