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New Horizon Mine 2 anti PR-05 Revision Area: <br /> I. Cover - Point intercept along a randomly located line transect or ocular estimates <br /> in randomly located sample quadrats (cover sampling is not required on Irrigated <br /> Hayland or Irrigated Cropland reclaimed areas). <br /> 2. Production - Clipping of 3 foot by 3 foot plots,oven drying and weighing or total <br /> harvest based on weighing of baled hay, and total count of bales on the bond <br /> release parcel. The technique used depends on the end land use of the area <br /> sampled, with the total harvest method of comparison an optional approach for <br /> irrigated pastureland and irrigated hayland. <br /> 3. Species diversity - Species diversity standards are not applicable to irrigated <br /> pastureland, irrigated hayland, or dryland pasture reclaimed areas within the New <br /> Horizon Mine 2 area. For the relatively intensive agricultural land uses proposed, <br /> simple seedmixes comprised of a small number of productive forage grasses and <br /> legumes are appropriate. The relatively small acreage of dryland pasture will be <br /> interspersed among the larger irrigated blocks, and will be used for livestock <br /> grazing rotations in association with management of the irrigated lands. There <br /> will be some diversity among land use types due to the use of different seedmixes <br /> and management practices, however, no specific post-mine land use objective <br /> would be served by the establishment of species diversity standards applicable <br /> to the post-mine land use types proposed. <br /> 4. Woody plant density- Not applicable to irrigated pastureland, irrigated hayland, <br /> or dryland pasture reclaimed areas within the New Horizon Mine 2 area, for the <br /> same reasons discussed under "Species Diversity", above. Woody plant <br /> establishment is not desired by landowners within the permit area,and would not <br /> be compatible with the proposed agricultural land uses. <br /> The Division proposes to approve these techniques (4.15.7(1)). <br /> E. In order to demonstrate that revegetation success criteria of 4.15.8,4.15.9, and 4.15.10 <br /> have been met, the following success standards will be used: <br /> New Horizon Mine 1: <br /> 1. Cover - Reclaimed areas will be compared to the established reference area or a <br /> technical standard of 43.9 percent ground cover(vegetation and litter) depending <br /> on whether the area has been previously mined or not. <br /> 2. Production - Reclaimed areas will be compared to Natural Resources <br /> Conservation Service potential productivity values (technical standards) for <br /> Shavano(500 lbs./ac.) or Persayo(250 tbs./ac.) soil series depending on end land <br /> use. <br /> 26 <br />