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<br />(19.8$, 7.6$, and 10.6$ relative cover, respectively). The <br />Division's noxious weed guideline states that if the relative cover <br />of noxious weeds in a revegetated stand exceeds 30, a possible <br />infestation is indicated. The Division's bond release guideline <br />states, on page 7, that "Phase II bond release will be denied if <br />the reclaimed area has not been managed in compliance with the <br />Division's Guideline for the Management of Noxious Weeds on Coal <br />Mine Permit Areas." <br />In order for bond release to be approved for the specified areas, <br />the application will need to demonstrate that the apparent bindweed <br />infestations are being managed in compliance with the referenced <br />guideline. <br />4. The apparently inappropriate numeric average comparisons of <br />the entire dryland reclaimed area and combined AVF areas to the <br />applicable reference areas were deleted from the narrative on <br />amended page A-6. <br />A T-Test comparison was included in the response letter which <br />demonstrates that the 1991 AVF reclaimed area cover was not less <br />than 90% of the reference area cover standard, with an alpha error <br />probability of .10. The demonstration should be included in the <br />amended application. <br />5. Based on the data submitted, we still have concerns regarding <br />lack of warm seasong grasses and approved perennial forbs, and <br />excessive noxious weeds on the various East Pit reclamation <br />parcels, and the 1991 AVF area. Final recommendation will be made <br />following review of responses to remaining adequacy concerns, and <br />review of the bond release inspection report. <br />6. The requested AVF quadrat sampling production data was <br />provided. The data summaries indicate that sample adequacy was not <br />achieved for either of the reclaimed AVF areas, although the <br />reference area mean was exceeded. This deficiency should be <br />addressed. It is possible that a reverse null T-Test approach <br />could be used to demonstrate that the reclaimed area means exceed <br />the standard, with an alpha error probability of .10. <br />Certain additional information should be provided regarding the <br />quadrat sampling. How many quadrats were clipped per transect and <br />how were they located along the transect? Were only ^approved <br />species^ included in the production data? <br />7. An explanation for the discrepancy between quadrat sample data <br />and field harvest data was provided. Given the incomplete field <br />harvest due to the small area and other factors mentioned, the <br />Division will place primary emphasis on the quadrat sample data for <br />the purposes of bond release demonstration. <br />8. The requested corrections were made. <br />