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Page Ten Preliminary Adequacy Review Grand Mesa Coal Co. - Red Canyon Mine April 28, 1981 The sampling program must be designed to adequately characterize the vegetation types that will be disturbed by mining activities during the permit term. As such, sampling this summer should be limited to previously undisturbed vegetation types in the areas to be affected 6y construction of the "D" portal yard area, the new sediment pond, and the refuse disposal site. Acreages of each vegetation type to be disturbed should be determined and clearly delineated on the Proposed Surface Disturbance Map. The applicant should include within the plan the proposed sampling methods (length of transects, size of quadrats, etc., a specific explanation of the techniques to be used.) The Division requires that individual sampling units be located randomly within each vegetation type. A demonstration that sample adequacy has been achieved for each parameter in each vegetation type is required. The Snedecor-Cochran sample adequacy formula is a commonly used and widely accepted analysis. Parameters should include percent woody cover, percent herbaceous cover, current year's production of both woody and herb- aceous species (not to include trees), and woody plant density. Cover data should be taken by species, to allow a determination of species composition and diversity. Production data can be lumped by life form. Annual species should not be included in any of the quantitative data. The relative abundance of particular annual species should be noted in the general dis- cussion of plant communities required by 2.04.10(9). 2. The affected area at Grand Mesa does not qualify as a previously mined area due to the present use of the "E" seam portals and associated facilities and the proposed additional disturbance related to "D" seam development and the refuse disposal site. The revegetation success criteria of 4.15.8 are applicable for the areas to be disturbed in this permit term. An alternate success standard may be set by the Division for the "E" portal yard area if the applicant can demonstrate that, due to the fact that no topsoil was salvaged from this area, reclamation to meet the requirements of 4.15.8 will be impractical. 3. On page 133, under 4.15.7(2)(c), it is implied that reference areas will be used for the determination of revegetation success. The applicant should state if this is indeed the case. If so, the proposed reference areas should be described in relation to the affected area they will be compared to, and a plan for sampling within each reference area and the statistical comparisons to be made with affected types and revegetated areas should be submitted. 9. The applicant has stated that monitoring of the revegetated areas will be conducted. Details of the monitoring plan should be provided, e.g. vegetation characteristics to be assessed, sampling methods and the timing (season and number of year). Will all revegetated areas be monitored?