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C. Methods to measure vegetation cover,herbaceous production, species diversity, and <br /> woody plant density are discussed in Section 3.4.9 of the PAP. These techniques <br /> include point intercept for cover sampling, quadrat clipping for herbaceous <br /> production estimates, and quadrat stem counts for woody plant density estimates. <br /> The Division proposes to approve of these techniques (4.15.7(1)). The sampling <br /> techniques and statistical methods to be used in demonstrations of revegetation <br /> success are in conformance with Rule 4.15.11. <br /> D. Comparisons between reclaimed and undisturbed areas, in order to demonstrate that <br /> success criteria of 4.15.8,4.15.9, or 4.15.10 have been met, will be based on the <br /> following: <br /> Reference areas have been established for each designated vegetation type, and were <br /> originally proposed to be used for comparisons of both vegetation cover and <br /> herbaceous production for the affected types (juniper woodland, shadscale shrubland, <br /> and greasewood shrubland). The reference areas have been approved for vegetation <br /> cover success comparisons. However,because sample adequacy requirements were <br /> not met for production within either the reference areas or affected areas for these <br /> types,use of reference areas for production comparisons was not approved. Because <br /> the combined affected area herbaceous production data for McClane Canyon and the <br /> adjacent Munger Canyon permit areas did meet sample adequacy,within each <br /> vegetation type, it was determined that the combined affected area production data <br /> would be used as the success standard for each of the affected vegetation types, <br /> pursuant to Rule 4.15.7(2)(d)(vi) [April 16, 1985 Findings Document]. The <br /> herbaceous production success standards based on combining of the data within <br /> vegetation types for both mines are as follows: <br /> Greasewood Shrubland sample mean: 766 lb/ac. <br /> Standard(90% of mean): 690 lb/ac. <br /> Shadscale Shrubland sample mean: 661 lb/ac. <br /> Standard(90% of mean): 595 lb/ac. <br /> Juniper Woodland sample mean: 389 lb/ac. <br /> Standard(90% of mean): 350 lb/ac. <br /> The diversity standard is specified on page 3-17 of the PAP, and requires that a <br /> minimum of three perennial species shall each provide a minimum of 3%relative <br /> cover. At least two of these species shall be cool season perennial grasses. No <br /> individual species shall represent more than 60%relative cover. This standard was <br /> established during the RN-04 application process,which amended the previous <br /> standard which mentioned perennial forbs and warm season grasses as counting <br /> toward the diversity standard but identified no minimum relative cover level for any <br /> particular life form. Neither warm season grasses nor perennial forbs were <br /> significant components of the affected vegetation types. The relatively small number <br /> xxvi <br />