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• Determination of Revegetation Success <br />In order to effectively evaluate vegetative reestablishment and ultimate <br />revegetation success, EFCI will monitor revegetated areas three (3) years after <br />initial vegetative establishment, and during the last two (2) consecutive years prior <br />to the request for final bond release. Collection of vegetation monitoring data will <br />involve the use of similar methods to those utilized in the collection of vegetative <br />baseline data as described in Section 2.04.10, Vegetation Information. Vegetation <br />monitoring will focus on collection and quantifying of data for the parameters of <br />herbaceous plant cover, total herbaceous production, species diversity, and shrub <br />density. Necessary data to assess these parameters will be collected during each <br />monitoring period on both revegetated and reference areas. <br />The purpose of vegetation monitoring efforts during year three (3) will be <br />evaluation of revegetation trends. Resulting data will be utilized as appropriate to <br />identify any potential areas of concern so that adjustments can' be made in post <br />reclamation management plans to achieve desired revegetation objectives. <br />. Revegetation monitoring data collected in the last two (2) years prior to final bond <br />release request will provide a comparison between reclaimed and reference areas <br />in order to establish and document revegetation success. <br />While the line intercept method was utilized to collect vegetative baseline <br />information for the Southfield Mine, EFCI will utilize the more efficient point <br />intercept method to determine vegetative cover, will evaluate vegetative diversity <br />using cover data, and will determine woody plant density utilizing belt transects <br />along the sample lines established for vegetative cover measurements. Cover <br />sampling will involve establishment of random, 50 meter transects and use of a <br />standard 10-point frame. Woody plant density will be determined using 50 x 1 <br />meter belt transects along the cover sampling lines. <br />Original baseline vegetative cover data reflects measurement of basal vegetative <br />cover because extensive gazing had significantly altered natural vegetative growth <br />patterns. Both reference and reclaimed areas have not been disturbed by <br />significant grazing during the interim period and will be subject to essentially the <br />• same post-reclamation management program during the bond liability period. <br />2.05.4 - 26 Revised 02116/07 <br />Technical Revision No. 29 <br />