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Shrub Density <br />Shrub density data were collected using a belt transect approach. All shrubs lying within <br />one meter on one side of the 25 meter transect line (used for collecting cover data) were <br />counted on the basis of species. Stem count was recorded by species and reported as <br />stems per acre. <br />See Figure 1 -Map with Sampling Locations under the List of Figures for locations of <br />transect starting points. <br />Revegetatiou Success Criteria <br />During the adequacy review process, La Plata Coal Corporation requested assistance <br />from the Division in establishing revegetation success criteria for this site. Based on <br />information provided in the permit application and a review of this site, the Division <br />recommended the following criteria, which were agreed to by La Plata Coal Corporation. <br />- For all azeas, except those south of La Plata County Road 120, the success criteria of <br />Rule 4.15.10 are applicable. These areas were disturbed prior to the enactment of the <br />law (C.R.S. 34-33-101 et seq), were abandoned by the previous coal operator <br />(Sunbelt Mining, Inc.), and were never reclaimed to current revegetation standazds. <br />Therefore, the requirements of reclaiming previously mined azeas as presented in <br />Rule 4.15.10(1) were applicable. A minimum cover standazd of 70 percent was <br />established, which was sufficient to prevent erosion and to achieve the capability of <br />the replaced plant growth medium. <br />- For all areas south of La Plata County Road 120, the success criteria for croplands <br />(Rule 4.15.9) were applicable. This azea includes the sediment pond and associated <br />diversion ditches, which were installed since 1980. La Plata Coal Corporation <br />developed a production standard based on production values from adjacent croplands <br />within Hay Gulch during the last three yeazs of the liability period. <br />' These were the initial revegetation standazds set forth. However, the cover standazd of <br />70 percent has been determined to be out of the range of realistic revegetation capabilities <br />of this particulaz azea for several reasons. <br />This site is located approximately less than one quarter mile, and directly northeast of <br />another reclaimed and revoked bond site -the Blue Flame Mine. At the Blue Flame <br />Mine (on anorth-facing slope) the revegetation cover standard is 30 percent, the <br />productivity standard is 500 pounds per acre, and the woody plant density standard is 600 <br />stems per acre. Another factor to consider is that the La Plata No. 1 Mine reclaimed site <br />is situated on asouth-facing slope, meaning that warmer surface temperatures impact this <br />particulaz site. This site has less access to water infiltration due to evaporative losses and <br />less surface vegetation cover, in general. Additionally, the topography of the site is much <br />steeper than at the Blue Flame site, and has a rockier composition. These factors <br />combine to suggest that the La Plata site should have less vegetative success in <br />establishing a diverse and highly productive vegetative community than the Blue Flame <br />4 <br />