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• Sagebrush Community -Reclamation Success For the sagebrush reclaimed areas, Phase iII vegetative success will be evaluated for cover, production and species diversity. Success for cover and production will be based on a comparison of the reclaimed area parameter value with the reference area parameter value. To demonstrate revegetation success, total perennial, non-noxious cover, as per Rule 4.15.8(3)(a), must be found to be greater than or equal to 90 percent of the reference area's total perennial, non-noxious cover with a 90 percent statistical confidence level. Additionally, herbaceous, perennial, non-noxious production, as per 4.15.8(4)(a), must be found to be greater than or equal to 90 percent of the reference area's herbaceous, perennial, non-noxious production with a 90 percent statistical confidence level. Species diversity success will be evaluated against the following standard which was developed as part of technical revision 15 (1998): Using relative cover for each species, the reclaimed areas will have at least four perennial species each with relative importance equal to or greater than 3%. No individual species which provides in excess of 60% relative cover can be counted toward the diversity standard. At least three of the species will be cool season grasses. No woody stems density success standard applies to the mine site. (See Exhibit 43-3 for the • relevant Division of Wildlife letter) Sagebrush Community -Sampling Methods Total vegetative cover will be estimated using either an optical point frame or a mechanical point frame. Point sitings will be located at regular intervals along a 25 meter (or smaller) transect stretched in a random direction from the sample location. Because of the small size of the reclaimed and reference areas, 25 meter or smaller transects are recommended. 50 data points will be sampled per transect, comprising a single sample unit for the purposes of sample adequacy calculations. Cover will be identified by species, or as rock, litter, or bare ground. For the purposes of estimating total vegetative cover, only first hit data will be used. Only hits 4 feet and lower will be collected in both the reclaimed and reference area as allowed on page 7 of the DMG Vegetation Guidelines (Guidelines for Compliance with Land Use and Vegetation Requirements of the Colorado Mined Land Reclamation Board for Coal Mining October 1988.). For a Phase III bond release request, multiple hit data (first, second, third...) will be used to evaluate species diversity success. For the purposes of a Phase II bond release request, species diversity will be evaluated using only first-hit data as noted above. Because first hits generally far exceed all other vegetative hits combined (especially with a herbaceous dominated vegetation), first hit data provides a sufficient estimate of species diversity for the purposes of Phase II studies. . NCIG - C°al Ridge a I (rR-1 S) 4-626 4/98