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4.15.8(2) Herbaceous cover and productivity, species diversity and woody <br />plant density of the reclaimed surface shall be at least equal to (as defined ~ <br />in 4.15.8) the herbaceous cover and productivity, species diversity and <br />woody plants density of living plans as determined from the approved <br />reference area(s), or approved standards established pursuant to <br />4.15.7(2) (d) . In addition, the vegetation on the reclaimed area shall be of <br />the same seasonal variety native to the area of disturbed land. i <br />RESPONSE <br />Detailed responses to these topics are outlined in the sections <br />'which follow. <br />4.15.8(3) Herbaceous cover of the revegetated area shall be considered <br />acceptable if: <br />(a) For herbaceous vegetation communities, cover of the revegetated _ <br />area shall be at least 90$ of the cover as determined from the reference <br />area or the approved standard with 90$ statistical confidence. <br />(b) For woody vegetation communities, cover of the revegetated area - <br />shall be at least 90$ of the cover as determined from the reference area or _ <br />approved standard with 80$ statistical confidence, unless the Division - <br />makes a finding that: <br />(i) A higher percentage of herbaceous cover than existed <br />• before mining is practicable and is desirable for reducing erosion; <br />or <br />(ii) A lower percentage of herbaceous cover is advisable <br />where there is danger that herbaceous vegetation will outcompete the <br />woody vegetation and hinder its successful establishment, and the <br />lower percentage will be adequate for erosion control. <br />(c) For purposes of 4.15.8, cover means either canopy or basal <br />cover of living herbaceous vegetation. <br />RESPONSE <br />HG Coal Company intends to reestablish woody vegetation com- <br />munities, so item (b) applies. It will be the intent to reestab- <br />lish comparable levels of herbaceous cover to those existing on <br />the reference areas. <br />4.15.8(4) Herbaceous productivity of the revegetated area shall be con- <br />sidered acceptable if: <br />(a) For herbaceous vegetation communities, productivity shall be at <br />least 90$ of the productivity as determined from the reference area or <br />approved standard with 90$ statistical confidence. <br />. (b) For woody vegetation communities, productivity of the revege- <br />tated area shall be at least 90$ of the productivity as determined from the <br />reference area or approved standard, with 80$ statistical confidence, <br />