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Annual herbaceous production is considered successful if the data illustrate results greater than or <br /> equal to 400 pounds of herbaceous biomass per acre. Herbaceous production must meet 90 percent of <br /> the standard, or 360 pounds per acre. Herbaceous production in 2022 measured 804 pounds per acre. <br /> Herbaceous production in 2023 measured 706 pounds per acre. Herbaceous productivity in both years <br /> exceeded the minimum required standard for success. <br /> Woody plant density for the reclaimed East Mine area includes live trees, shrub species, and sub- <br /> shrub species. The woody plant density standard is 100 stems or more per acre. The standard must be <br /> met at a 90 percent level, so a minimum of 90 stems per acre is considered successful. Rule 4.15.11 <br /> (3)(b)(i)requires a minimum of 75 >100 m2 transects in each unit collected to determine woody plant <br /> density values. The operator collected 82 woody plant density transects, exceeding the required <br /> amount. Woody plant density in 2022 measured 290 total woody plants per acre. Woody plant <br /> density in 2023 measured 306 total woody plants per acre. Woody plant density in both years <br /> exceeded the minimum required standards for success. <br /> Four criteria need to be met for species diversity standards. First, the reclaimed vegetative <br /> community requires greater than or equal to five perennial non-noxious plant species to be <br /> established. Each of the five species must comprise at least 0.5 percent relative cover, yet no more <br /> than 60 percent relative cover. The list of five or more species may include either native or <br /> introduced species. Five species met this standard in 2022, and seven species met this standard in <br /> 2023. The data for both years demonstrated meeting this minimum required standard for success. <br /> The second diversity criterion requires that a minimum of three native cool-season perennial grasses <br /> be established within the reclaimed community. Each of the three species must contribute a minimum <br /> of 0.5 percent relative cover, yet no greater than 60 percent relative cover. Three species met this <br /> standard in 2022, and four species met this standard in 2023. The data for both years demonstrated <br /> meeting this minimum standard required for success. <br /> The third diversity criterion requires that the reclaimed community must contain a minimum of two <br /> native or introduced forb species. Each of these species must contribute a minimum of 0.5 percent <br /> relative cover, but no greater than 60 percent relative cover. Two species met this standard in 2022, <br /> and three species met this standard in 2023. The data for both years demonstrated meeting this <br /> minimum standard required for success. <br /> The fourth diversity standard requires a minimum of two native tree, shrub, or sub-shrub (woody) <br /> species be established in the reclaimed community. No one woody species may exceed greater than <br /> or equal to 80 percent relative cover. Two species met this standard in 2022, and four met this <br /> standard in 2023. The data for both years demonstrated meeting this minimum standard required for <br /> success. <br /> The Division found the data collected on the reclaimed East Mine area in 2022 and 2023 accurately <br /> reflect the current site conditions, based on observations during the inspection. <br /> SL-09 Findings,Permit C-1981-038 Page 8 of 12 <br />