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1 <br />' VePemrion Samp(in¢ Tor 1996 <br />' Since 0.94 < 1.886, Ho is not rejected; the conclusion is that the reclaimed area mean cover is <br />not less than 90 percent of the reference area. Therefore, successful vegetation establishment has <br />been achieved. <br />Two methods of production sampling were conducted within the AVF Reclaimed Areas and AVF <br />Reference Area. A [oral hay bale count was calculated using the total number of hay bales from <br />' each distinct azea and then multiplying by the measured average weight of each hay bale. A total <br />of 370 hay bales were collected from the AVF Reclaimed Area or 31.6 bales per acre and 4 hay <br />bales or 3.8 bales per acre within the AVF Reference Area. The AVF Reclaimed Area averaged <br />' 1,896 pounds per acre in comparison to 229 pounds per acre in the AVF Reference Area. The <br />second method utilized results of hand clipping quadrants 0.25 square meters in size and <br />' converting the resulting dry weight to pounds per acre. A total of five plots were clipped in each <br />of the three sampled areas which was determined to be an adequate sample (Tables 11, 12 and <br />13). The results for AVF 1990, AVF 1991, and AVF Reference Area were 2,341, 1,777, and <br />' 1,228 pounds per acre, respectively. Both methods show that the production on the reclaimed area <br />is greater than the reference area. <br />' The discrepancy of the AVF Reference Area production results between the hay harvest and <br />quadrant sampling may be explained by the following reasons. The AVF Reference Area <br />contained a large percentage of grasses and grass-like species with a lower forb dominance <br />' (alfalfa). This may have resulted in a higher wet co dry ratio conversion compared to an area with <br />a higher forb dominance. The hand-clipping data results were significantly higher due to the <br />height at which the vegetation was clipped, a more efficient collection of vegetation, and the <br />' extrapolation of the calculation which was made. Comparatively, the method of haying in a small <br />area with farming equipment, air drying in a wind row, then baling several days later would <br />' significantly increase the opportunity for error to be introduced into the sample. <br />The species diversity criterion was specified by the CDMG during permitting. This criterion <br />' states that Kaiser must establish two perennial cool season grasses, one warm season grass, and <br />one perennial forb with at least 3% but less than 60% relative cover on the dryland pasture areas <br />and three cool season grasses and one perennial forb with cover values between 3% and 40%. <br />' Species diversity data is provided in Table 18. The results of the 1996 survey indicate a <br />permanent and relatively diverse vegetation cover is becoming established on the reclaimed area <br />at the Chimney Rock Mine. <br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br />RYdV O5J\MarcM1 10. IW) A-26 <br />