2018-09-04_PERMIT FILE - C1981019A

• Permit No: C1981019A
• IBM Index Class Name: Permit File
• Doc Date: 9/4/2018
• Doc Name: Volume 1 Rule 4
• Section_Exhibit Name: 4.01 Throuugh 4.30
• Media Type: D
• Archive: Yes

RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The initial Permit Application addressed Diversity by using the Shannon Weiner Index to measure
the distribution of species within the existing premine vegetation community. Over the early years
of SMCRA compliance, this procedure was determined to be problematic for this use as a means
to evaluate diversity.
Colowyo did not feel comfortable using such a complicated Index, but did so because it was the
norm at the time to use this method.
Since the initial Permit Application, CDRMS regulations have been revised to allow for the use of
comparisons of species composition based on cover between the reclaimed area and the
undisturbed vegetation.
This method of analyzing diversity was applied to the weighted premine herbaceous vegetation
cover data originally sampled and summarized in Section 2.04. 10 on Table 2, 1980 Herbaceous
Cover by Species.
A total of four species with a combined contribution to diversity of 43.4% have been chosen to
characterize the premine vegetative community diversity standard.
The vegetative species with their contribution to diversity are as follows:
% Contribution to Diversi
22.6%
10.8%
6.7%
3.3%
43.4%
Although Gallium and Lupinus caudatus rank reasonably well in the diversity (composition) scale,
they were not included in the diversity goals for reclamation. Gallium is an annual, while Lupinus
caudatus is considered toxic to livestock and is most likely a product of overgrazing. Colowyo is
interested in reclaiming with vegetation species with equal or superior utility for the postmining
land use when compared with the utility of the naturally occurring premine vegetation. Neither
Gallium nor Lupinus provides any utility towards supporting the premining land use.
Three of the species are perennial cool season grasses and one specie is a perennial forb. All of
the species are found throughout the premine area on all soil types and moisture regimes. The
grass species all provide the qualities for excellent erosion control and livestock use. All four
species of vegetation exhibit high utility towards the premine land use.
It is important to note that the species exhibiting the greatest contribution to the premine vegetative
diversity is Kentucky Bluegrass, Poa pratensis, which is not considered a native. It exhibits nearly
23% of the composition, over twice that of the next most dominant species, Western Wheatgrass,
Agropyron smithii, at nearly 11 %.
Species diversity for the postmine vegetative community will be determined in the same manner
Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-73 Revision Date: 5/25/18
Revision No.: RN -07
Species
(1)
Poa pratenensis
(2)
Agrropyron Smithii
(3)
Achillea lanulosa
(4)
Stipa viridula
% Contribution to Diversi
22.6%
10.8%
6.7%
3.3%
43.4%
Although Gallium and Lupinus caudatus rank reasonably well in the diversity (composition) scale,
they were not included in the diversity goals for reclamation. Gallium is an annual, while Lupinus
caudatus is considered toxic to livestock and is most likely a product of overgrazing. Colowyo is
interested in reclaiming with vegetation species with equal or superior utility for the postmining
land use when compared with the utility of the naturally occurring premine vegetation. Neither
Gallium nor Lupinus provides any utility towards supporting the premining land use.
Three of the species are perennial cool season grasses and one specie is a perennial forb. All of
the species are found throughout the premine area on all soil types and moisture regimes. The
grass species all provide the qualities for excellent erosion control and livestock use. All four
species of vegetation exhibit high utility towards the premine land use.
It is important to note that the species exhibiting the greatest contribution to the premine vegetative
diversity is Kentucky Bluegrass, Poa pratensis, which is not considered a native. It exhibits nearly
23% of the composition, over twice that of the next most dominant species, Western Wheatgrass,
Agropyron smithii, at nearly 11 %.
Species diversity for the postmine vegetative community will be determined in the same manner
Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-73 Revision Date: 5/25/18
Revision No.: RN -07