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area with 90% statistical confidence. There are four approved reference areas; Dryland <br /> pasture,Improved pasture, Rangeland and Meadow. The locations of the reference areas are <br /> shown on Map 20-1 in the PAP. <br /> Vegetation production will be measured by harvesting 1/2 m2 to 1 m2 plots in both reclaimed <br /> and reference areas. If production in the reclaimed area is 90% or more of the production of <br /> the associated reference area at a 90% statistical confidence,it shall be deemed acceptable. <br /> Neither dryland nor improved pasture designations will be required to meet a species <br /> diversity standard since post-operational land use will be for agricultural use. The rangeland <br /> areas will be differentiated by either upland rangeland or lowland rangeland. Upland <br /> rangeland will establish 5 perennial grasses with 50% or greater frequency each. Three of <br /> these grasses will contribute greater than 1%relative cover. A minimum of two forbs will <br /> be established with an occurrence of 50% or greater. At least one shrub will be established <br /> with a frequency of 10% or greater. On lowland rangeland, six grasses shall be established <br /> each with 50% or greater frequency (with four of the grasses contributing more than one <br /> percent relative cover each). A minimum of one forb, with greater than 50% frequency,will <br /> be present in the lowland rangeland type. <br /> Species diversity in the reclaimed areas along the TAHR corridor will be concentrated on <br /> the herbaceous component. The shrub component will rapidly reestablish naturally from the <br /> surrounding undisturbed vegetation. In the low sagebrush vegetation type associated with <br /> the TAHR,baseline studies identified three grasses with relative cover greater than three <br /> percent. No forbs with relative cover values of three percent or more were found in the <br /> baseline study. Thus, a minimum of three grasses will be established and each will <br /> contribute relative cover values of three percent or greater. Each species will not exceed 40 <br /> percent relative cover and the total of the three species will not exceed 75 percent relative <br /> cover. In addition,two forbs and one shrub will be established, but no relative cover values <br /> are specified. <br /> In the meadow vegetation type of the TAHR, four grasses contributed relative cover greater <br /> than three percent in baseline studies. No forbs contributed relative cover values of three <br /> percent or more, and shrubs were not a notable component of the type. A minimum of four <br /> grasses each will contribute relative cover values of three percent or greater in the reclaimed <br /> plant communities. In addition, one forb will be established. Each species will not exceed <br /> 75 percent cover. Species diversity will not be evaluated on areas of the TAHR corridor <br /> returned to cropland. <br /> Cool season species are expected to dominate due to the environmental conditions of the <br /> permit area. Species chosen in the seed mixes reflect cool season adaptations. Three warm <br /> season species are included in the rangeland mix. <br /> Grazing will be permitted on the reclaimed areas with careful and proper management. <br /> Fencing will be installed to reflect logical management units. <br /> 27 <br />