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plant concentration areas (Standard P2) was demonstrated in planted area sampled in 2015 and 2016. <br />Successful revegetation for the parameter of aspen woody plant establishment was demonstrated in <br />both 2015 and 2016. Success Standard S2 is not applicable. <br />Successful revegetation for the various parameters of woody plant density were demonstrated in both <br />2015 and 2016. <br />Species Diversity <br />Evaluating species diversity comprises listing all species within one meter on either side of the 50 <br />meter cover transect, expressed as number of species observed per 100 sq in. SPL uses four <br />different tests to determine species diversity. Successful revegetation for species diversity is <br />evaluated through a series of tests, a mandatory test and three are alternative tests. At least two of the <br />alternative tests must be met. The mandatory test (Test A) is based on the cover sampling data and <br />requires that no single plant exceeds 60 percent relative cover. Alternative test B is a comparison for <br />total species density between the reference and reclaimed areas. Alternative Test C is an assessment <br />of the distribution of species abundance among lifeforms in the reclaimed areas compared to the <br />reference. Alternative Test D is an assessment of the presence of native species in the reclaimed <br />areas compared to the reference areas. <br />The data available in Attachment D — Revegetation Success Supporting Documentation shows alfalfa <br />(Medicago sativa) as the most abundant single species at 26.4% relative first -hit cover, well below <br />the 60% threshold of concern. Thus, mandatory Test A is passed based on assessment of 2015 cover <br />data. <br />Photo 3: Inspection team noting the reclamation. <br />The Division also evaluated the vegetation diversity to determine if the diversity will be supportive <br />of the approved post -mining land use. The Phase III bond release criterion, at the Yoast Mine, <br />requires conformance with one mandatory species dominance test and at least two of three additional <br />tests. The bond release area passed the species dominance test and all three additional diversity tests. <br />The results of vegetation monitoring conducted on the bond release area, when compared with results <br />of reference area monitoring indicate that SPL successfully established vegetation supporting the <br />approved post -mining land use of rangeland and wildlife habitat and meets the approved success <br />standards. <br />Permit Number C-1994-082 Page 16 of 23 <br />