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• 1.0 INTRODUCTION, OBJECTIVES AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS This vegetation reference areas study was conducted at the Hayden Gulch Mine to assist in compliance with requirements of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board (CMLRB) . Specifically, Section 4.15, Revegetation Requirements, of their Rules and Regulations, stipulates that vegetation reference areas be established as one means of providing baseline data for the revegetation plan (Sec. 4.15.7(2)). The function of the reference areas are to serve as standards of comparison between pre and postmining vegetation conditions. Section 4.15.7(3) describes the criteria which reference areas must meet to be acceptable to the Mined Land Reclamation Board: o They must be representative of each major plant community to be disturbed during mining. o A statistical demonstration must be undertaken to show comparability between the reference area and its equivalent disturbance area. Herbaceous • cover and productivity must be measured. o The reference area shall be of sufficient size to allow for valid statistical comparisons (minimum acceptable size is three acres). o Reference areas shall be managed in accordance with approved postmining land use. o During at least the last two full years of the extended liability period, the reference and reclaimed areas shall receive the same management. The objective of this study was to select suitable reference areas and collect the required information to allow compliance with the above require- ments. Reference areas were established for each of the major vegetation types being disturbed by mining. Comparative measurements were made between vegetation communities on the area to be mined, and similar, adjacent communities (the reference areas) which will remain undisturbed • during the mine's life.