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. } III IIIIII'llllll'II 999 April 4, 1980 Mr. Larry Reechke First b Colmnbia P.0. Box 226 Delta, Colo-ado 81416 RE: Information on reference areas. Dear Pir. Reschke: I am writing in reply to your question on reference areas. Referenceeareas nee needed for mines under the permanent nrogram, and sometimes for the interim regulations. The permanent program c,~ill offer alternatives to reference areas for ddemonstrating revegetative success, although in this case, reference areas are probably the best hhoice. Since the sampling must be done in summer, these reference areas should be started for any future permit. Also, information from these samplings can he used for. tt.e present P.ed Canyon permit. A reference area is a plot of land set aside to rise as a standard in evaluating the reclaimed area. This area should be in its natural state, and representative of areas to be revegetated. An acre is a good size for a reference area. Withln this area, numerous samples are ta]cen. Samples from the reference area are com- pared with random samples from the revegetated mine cite. Samples are taken to shod productivity of the land; for example, groups of species can be collected (shrubs, grasses, etc.) and weighed to find poinda per acre.or Y.ilograms per Hectare. Cover is shown by random sampling over a reference area to shoo per- cent of the ground surface occupied by specified plant parts. Usually, look at either the entire plant (canopy cover) or only at stems or trunks (basal cover). Although measurements should be by species, only the total ~rlll he used for the Final comparison. Individual species values will be used for the diversity determination. Often more than one reference area is needed to represent dif- ferent terrain and plant tometunities to be revegetated at the mine site. In Grand Hess's case, reference areas would ppobably be needed for the sage, grease- wood and pinon-juniper communities, and additional areas if all slope and aspects are not represented in these reference areas. Deference areas are used in determining revegetation success, and to show whether the land is being returned to pee-mining productivity. In a case where scant vegetation information is given, as in the Red Canyon O1 mine, a reference area can provide needed information.