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1 ' revegetation success standard for this area. In our discussions with the Division we have been informed that 1,000 stems per acre represents an acceptable success standard based upon relevant site specific conditions. ' Further support for the use of 1,000 stems per acre may be derived. From the data presented by Dan Mathews at the Western Reclamation Workshop, May 17, 1982 in a paper titled "Post-mining Utility - A Basis Eor Woody Plant Density Standards in Northwest Colorado", in which Mr. Matthews observes that winter range in critical winters is the most limiting factor to deer and elk po`ulations. The areas being mined at CYCC are not utilized ' in the winter by either deer or elk. Mr. Mathews recommends that in non-critical areas, woody plant density standards should be designed to provide protective cover. In his review, he reported deer utilizing open areas up to 400 yards Erom protective cover and elk up to 500 yards. Deer t and elk have been observed in the vicinity of the mine utilizing large open wheat fields and reclaimed areas. 1 Because the reclaimed lands are non-critical for wildlife, the minimum woody plant density of 1 000 stems per acre will be adequate to provide protective cover for deer and elk and is proposed as the approved woody ' plant density standard on the reclaimed land at CYCC. ' 3. In reponse to special stipulation number 9, the permitee provided diversity values for each community using the Shannon-Weiner index. With ~ ~ respect to the data, what constitutes a major species? Also, in the repsonse,i~ the permittee states that an acceptable method for employing the diversity ~':t ' component in the revegetation success evaluation has not, at present, been ~ finalized, and no objective interpretation has been included in this report. A ~i,, species diversity evaluation method must be included in the permit application. ~ RESPONSE: 1 ~~° ' Colorado Yampa proposes a diversity standard designed to reflect recently proposed revisions to OSM revegetation regulations as published in the Federal Register, Vol. 47, No. 56, Tuesday, March 23, 1982. In the proposed rules, the term "diverse", with respect to postmining revegetation ' success is defined to mean: "Sufficiently varied amounts and types of vegetatioa to achieve ground cover and support the postmining land uses. The precise numbers required to achieve this diversity should be determined by regional climatic and soil conditions. Aowever, the ultimate test will be the sufficiency of the plant communities to assure survival of adequate number and varieties to achieve the postmining land use and the re- quired extent of ground cover. Diversity does not necessarily mean that every species or variety of premising grass, shrubs, or trees be ' reestablished in identical numbers and ratios after mining." ' In order to determine a diversity standard based on the regional climatic and soils conditions, a careful examination of the average species compo- sitions of the five natural plant communities occurring within the 2