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2.05.4(2)(e) <br />(vi) Revegetation Success <br />Initially, revegetation success will be qualitatively evaluated during routine <br />inspections of the reclaimed sites. These evaluations shall include <br />assessments of noxious weeds, species diversity and the general health of the <br />vegetation. Results of these evaluations will be included in the annual <br />reclamation reports. <br />Determining Revegetation Success: General Requirements and Standards <br />The success of revegetation at the mine site shall be determined by <br />comparison of reseeded areas to the established reference area as allowed by <br />Rule 4.15.7 (3). The reference areas are shown on Figure 4.5-2. <br />The reference areas are located within the applicant's federal coal leases. <br />Access to the reference areas is granted by the applicants right to use the <br />land overlying the federal coal leases. <br />As indicated in Rule 4.15.7 (5) the 10 -year liability period will begin following <br />the last year of augmented seeding, fertilization, irrigation, or related <br />revegetation work. To facilitate bond release, revegetation success criteria <br />must be met for two of the last four years of the liability period excepting that <br />sampling for final success determination cannot occur prior to year 9 of this <br />period. The liability period will be re-initiated for augmentation work excepting <br />work associated with normal management activities as defined under Rule <br />4.15.7(5) (a -g). <br />Revegetation Success Criteria <br />The Operator will meet the requirements of this subsection to insure that the <br />postmining vegetation will be adequate for final bond release. The Operator <br />will utilize established reference areas for the purpose of comparing <br />vegetation information between the reclaimed areas and the undisturbed <br />reference area for the variables of ground cover and production. For the <br />variables of woody plant density and species diversity, the Operator shall <br />compare revegetated area parameters against defined standards detailed <br />later in this section. Data to be used in these comparisons must be from <br />statistically adequate sampling (where necessary) as indicated in Rule <br />4.15.11. <br />PR -02 2.05-45 10/12 <br />