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greater than 70% relative cover, with the exception of annual grasses. The annual grass <br /> component shall not exceed 70% relative cover unless the annual grass component in the <br /> corresponding reference area also exceeds 70%. In such instances, the relative cover of the <br /> annual grass component of the reclaimed area shall not exceed the relative cover of the annual <br /> grass component in the reference area by more than 5%. <br /> Vegetation sampling of the mine site was completed in 2016 and in 2017 by Cedar Creek Associates, <br /> Inc. Vegetation sampling in both years was compared to the Shadscale Reference Area. For both <br /> 2016 and 2017 vegetation sampling results concluded that the vegetation at the Roadside Mine was <br /> sufficient and met the standards outlined in the Roadside Mine's permit. The 2016 and 2017 <br /> vegetative data concluded the standards for Plant Cover, Diversity, Production and Woody Plant <br /> Species was greater than or equal to the standards outlined in the permit. <br /> The total perennial herbaceous production in 2016 was 185.2 lbs/ac which exceeded the success <br /> criteria of greater than or equal to 156.5 lbs/ac. The total perennial herbaceous production in 2017 <br /> was 206.6 lbs/ac which exceeded the success criteria of greater than or equal to 146.8 lbs/ac. The <br /> reclamation production standard was demonstrated to have been met for both 2016 and 2017. <br /> The woody plant density for 2016 was 1,066 live stems per acre which exceeded the standard of 800 <br /> live stems per acre. The woody plant density for 2017 was 1,506 live stems per acre which exceeded <br /> the standard of 800 live stems per acre. <br /> The diversity standard has 4 criteria; a)the total perennial cool-season grasses standard must be <br /> greater oor equal to 0.5%, b)the total perennial warm-season grasses standard of greater or equal <br /> to 0.5%, c)the total perennial forbs and sub-shrubs standard must be greater than or equal to <br /> 0.5%, d) and the number of species with greater than or equal to 70%relative cover standard. <br /> The total perennial cool-season grasses surpasses the stardar in 2016 and 2017 with 2.7 % and <br /> 3.7%respectively. The total warm-season grasses surpassed the standard in both 2016 and 2017 <br /> with 4.9% and 3.0%respectively. The total forbs and sub-shrubs surpasses the standard in 2016 <br /> and 2017 with values of 9.2% and 11.2%respectively. The number of species with greater than <br /> 70% relative cover must be 0. In 2016 and 2017 the standard was met with a value of 0 for both <br /> years. <br /> The reclamation diversity standards were demonstrated to have been met in both 2016 and 2017. <br /> Affected Lands Overlyingground Workings <br /> The Division has completed its assessment of the lands on the Tract 70 Mesa, alleged by Mr. <br /> Fontanari to have been adversely impacted by mining subsidence. The Division has concluded <br /> that the surface features identified by Mr. Fontanari's consultants David Fox and Ken Walter, Mr. <br /> Fontanari's attorney Jim Beckwith, and Mr. Fontanari are not related to mining subsidence or <br /> mining related activities. Based on the characteristics observed at the site, the Division <br /> concludes that the surface features are the result of surface water applications to <br /> Hydrocompactive Soils. Hydrocompactive soils form in semi-arid climates and are composed of <br /> fine-grained, un-compacted sediments originating from colluvial and/or alluvial processes. <br /> Hydrocompactive soils are low density and contain low amounts of moisture. These soils are <br /> extremely sensitive to the introduction to water. The low density materials such as clays and <br /> 8 <br />